Awareness, utilization of HIV testing and counselling services and sero-status among commercial motorcyclists in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract Background: In recent years, there has been an emergence of commercial motorcyclists in all parts of Tanzania known as boda-boda riders (BBRs); and these are mainly young active males. BBRs are potentially likely to share a set of high-risk behaviours for transmission of HIV. These include multiple sex partners, alcohol and drug abuse, low condom use, and limited knowledge of HIV. This study assessed the awareness, utilization of HIV testing and counselling (HTC) services and sero-status of HIV among BBRs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in August 2016 in three districts (Ilala, Kinondoni and Temeke) of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 1) to collect quantitative data on knowledge, attitude and practise of BBRs toward HIV infections (behavioural survey); and 2) to determine HIV prevalence among BBRs through HTC (sero-survey). Data was collected electronically using android tablets through the open data kit platform hosted at the central server.Results: In the behavioural survey, 973 BBRs (aged 18 - 59 years) were interviewed; majority (77.7%) were <35 years old and 52.2% were married. Over 93% of BBRs reported that HIV is a major public health problem in Tanzania and 89.7% thought that they were at high risk of acquiring HIV. More than 95% knew that HIV mainly is transmitted through unprotected sex and it can be prevented through use of condoms. However, 99.0% of BBRs had one or more sexual partners, only 37.4% used condoms with their regular extra-marital partners. For the sero-survey, 523 (53.8%) BBRs were tested and only 13 (2.5%) were positive, with a significantly higher prevalence among those aged 35-59 years. The risk of HIV infections was significantly lower among married BBRs (OR=0.2; 95%CI: 0.1-0.9, p=0.041) and those who had regular sexual partners (OR=0.2; 95%CI: 0.1-0.9, p=0.028). However, the risk was significantly higher among BBRs who were taking alcohol (OR=4.5; 95%CI: 1.1-18.6, p=0.037).Conclusion: Despite high knowledge of HIV among BBRs, they were still at high risk of acquiring HIV due to risky behaviours such as relationships with multiple sexual partners, low use of condoms and taking alcohol.