SOUTH INDIAN LONG-DISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS STILL AT HIGH-RISK FOR HIV/STI

Background In a typical year, it is estimated that there are about 5 million long-distance truck drivers delivering goods on 3.3 million kilometers of roadways in India. Due to their high-risk behavior, truckers have long been considered a bridge population associated with the spread of sexually transmitted infection (STI) including HIV. The last national study of HIV prevalence in Indian truck drivers, completed in 2008, found an overall HIV prevalence of 4.6% and 2.7% for syphilis among long-distance truck drivers. Methods Between July and December 2018, a cross-sectional study among long-distance truck drivers was carried out in four union halls in Mysore, Karnataka. After undergoing an informed consent process, all participants answered an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were screened for HIV, Hepatitis B and HCV (ERBA ELISA, Trans Asia Biomedicals Ltd, Mumbai, India). Detection of Treponemal Antibodies was carried out using a Rapid Plasma Reagen test kit (ARKRAY Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., India). Results The prevalence of HIV infection was 2.2% (95%CI: 1.1–4.0); Hepatitis B, 2.6% (95%CI: 1.4–4.6); and syphilis, 1% (95%CI: 0.3–2.5). There were no cases of HCV detected. Prevalence of any of the STIs was 5.9% (95%CI: 3.9–8.5). The mean age was 43.9 years (SD±7.49), 93% were married, 87% had no education or less than 10 years of education. About 81% reported their religion as Hindus. A majority (61.5%) belonged to a backward caste, scheduled caste or scheduled tribe. Religion and income were significantly associated with being diagnosed with any STIs. Conclusion While prevalence for HIV and common STI appear to be going down in this population, rates are still moderately higher than those found in the general population. There is a need for continued interventions to prevent truckers from bridging HIV and Hepatitis to the general population. Disclosure No significant relationships.