The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus
(AIDS) and hepatitis B virus among heavy truck drivers and their assistants has
been well documented globally in correlation with their behavioral
characteristics. The present study aimed to screen for human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and behavioral characteristics among heavy
truck drivers in Port Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 274 heavy truck drivers and their assistants who used
the highway Port Sudan-Khartoum in Port Sudan city during 2019-2021.
Data on behavioral characteristics and substance use habits were collected
using a structured questionnaire, and an ELISA test was used to screen for HIV
and HBV infections in the study participants. The chi-square test, odds ratio,
and confidence intervals were used to find the association between behavioral
characteristics and seropositive HIV/HBV. Of the 274 enrolled participants, the
seroprevalence rates of HIV were 2.7% and HBV was 23.7%. Ninety-four (34.3%) of
them had a history of high-risk sexual behavior outside of marriage; only two
(0.7%) used condoms; 14.2% of participants reported alcohol use; and 1.1%
reported drug use. Univariate analysis revealed that having a sex history
outside of marriage with ≥1 sex partner and never using a condom with a spouse
or casual partner were significant risk factors for HIV and HBV among drivers.
Fortunately, we found that most of the drivers reported low alcohol and drug
use. Concerning this study, the seroprevalence of HIV and HBV is highly
associated with a history of having sex outside of marriage and sexual behavior
among truck drivers and assistances. Additional studies are needed to further investigate other STIs and
behavioral characteristics associated with factors in truck drivers/assistance
in different truck stop regions in Sudan.
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