CONNAISSANCES, ATTITUDES ET PRATIQUES DES ROUTIERS (CHAUFFEURS ET APPRENTIS CHAUFFEURS) SUR LES IST, VIH ET SIDA DANS LA COMMUNE URBAINE DE NIONO

AbstractHIV infection is a persistent chronic retroviral infection, acquired through sex, blood, or mother-tochildtransmission. The objective was to study their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding STIs,HIV and AIDS. Our cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2008 in the urbancommune of Niono. The study populatin was systematically selected from the truck driverscorporation of this locality. A questionnaire was administered to participants using face-to-face modeafter consent. All the drivers and helpers heard about AIDS. In total, 90.1% of drivers and 93.1% ofhelpers thought VIH and SIDA could be avoided using abstinence and condom. In total, 73.4% ofhelpers had their first sexual intercourse before 15 years of age and 49.1% had not use a condom at thelast intercourse. In the last 6 months, 6.2% of drivers and 9.5% of helpers had sex with 5 to 10different partners.Our result show that drivers and helpers' knowledge of STIs, HIV and AIDS was mostly good.However, the persistance of their risk behaviors needs a sustained policy of information and awarness.Keywords: STIs, HIV, AIDS, Drivers, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices