International Journal of STD & AIDS > Volume 20, Number 1 > Pp. 39-45

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Original research articles

General hygiene, sexual risk behaviour and HIV prevalence in truck drivers from Andhra Pradesh, South India: implications for prevention interventions

J A Schneider MD MPH ^*  , A Dude PhD , M Dinaker MD  , V Kumar MBBS , E O Laumann PhD ^**, A Holloway-Beth MS ^*, G Oruganti MD  , G S Saluja MBBS  , V Chundi MD , V Yeldandi MD   and K H Mayer MD 

^* Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; International Center Human Health Advancement (a project of SHARE India), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India; The Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; MediCiti Hospitals, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India; ^** Department of Sociology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; SHARE/India, Shamirpet, Andhra Pradesh, India; Departments of Medicine and Community Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

Correspondence to: Dr John A Schneider, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA Email: jschnei1{at}medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu

The relationships between hygiene, sexual behaviour and HIV infection are poorly understood. We examine these relationships in Indian truck drivers, a group at high risk for HIV infection. Truck drivers (n = 189) were recruited into an integrated HIV and hygiene Information Motivation (IM) programme. Sociodemographic characteristics, sexual and hygiene behaviour and HIV prevalence were determined. Multivariate logistic regression and linear generalized estimating equation models were utilized. At baseline, 2.1% of drivers were HIV infected and 34% who reported having contact with female sex workers (FSWs) had contact within the previous six months. Those who washed their hands postdefecation were less likely to report genital symptoms (OR 0.02; P = 0.01) and have sex with an FSW (OR [odds ratio] 0.21; P = 0.05). After an IM intervention, there were no changes in sexual risk-taking behaviour (coefficient –0.15 to –0.02; P = 0.13–0.75); however, hygiene behaviour improved from baseline (coefficient 0.09–0.31; P < 0.01 to P = 0.03). Personal hygiene habits, like handwashing, seem to be a modifiable behaviour after a modest intervention, whereas HIV risk-taking behaviour was not. The association between hygiene and HIV risk-taking suggests the need for further evaluation of the relationship and that of other hygiene practices in high-risk men in India.

Key Words: HIV • hygiene • prevention intervention • truck drivers • India

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