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Lalla-Edward, S.T., Fischer, A.E., Venter, W.F., Scheuermaier, K., Meel, R., Hankins, C., Gomez, G., Klipstein-Grobusch, K., Draaijer, M. and Vos, A.G. (2019) Cross-Sec- tional Study of the Health of Southern African Truck Drivers. BMJ Open, 9, e032025.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032025

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Seroprevalence Survey of HIV and Hepatitis B Virus and Behavioral Characteristics among Heavy Truck Drivers along Port Sudan-Khartoum Highways

  AUTHORS: Sara S. Osman, Adam A. Mattar, Omnia M. Hamid

  KEYWORDS: Sexual Transmitted Infection, Port Sudan, Truck Drivers/Assistance

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol.14 No.1, March 28, 2024

  ABSTRACT: 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.