Knowledge, prevention and treatment measures used regarding HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections among members of the national union of road transport workers in Mushin, Lagos State.

Lawal Abisoye O1*, Sekoni Adekemi O1
1Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
*Correspondence: Lawal Abisoye O; +234 909 458 3041; lawalabisoyeoluwagbemiga@ymail.com

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Abstract

Background: An es mated three hundred and sixty million new cases of treatable STIs occur annually worldwide, and majority of these infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS and other STIs impact the quality of life of infected individuals, also contributing to the overall poor health statistics of developing countries. This study assessed the knowledge, preventive and treatment measures adopted by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (commercial bus drivers division) in Mushin local government, Lagos state as regards HIV/AIDS and other STIs.
Materials and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used. Through random sampling method, one of the three NURTW divisions in Mushin LGA was selected; all the garages in the selected unit were used. Sample size of 225 was used, and all the registered drivers available during the period of data collection were interviewed. Data was analysed using Epi info version 7.1. Association between variables was demonstrated using chi square at p<0.05.
Results: The mean age was 34.89+10.88. Almost all respondents had heard of HIV/AIDS and STI, and this information was obtained mainly through the media. The commonest STI known were gonorrhoea 98.7%, syphilis 72.29% and genital warts 42.42%. For symptoms of STIs, 72.73% knew about genital itching, 88.45% genital discharge, 69.26% genital sores, 90.91% pain during urination. Concerning transmission of HIV and other STI, most knew that HIV and STIs were preventable, 7.87% knew about abstinence, 5.24% faithfulness to a partner and 77.90% consistent condom use. Majority of the respondents knew that STIs could be cured with antibiotics (65.00%). Less than half had good knowledge regarding transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STI. The higher the level of education of the driver the more knowledge they possess (p=0.036).
About 63.14% of the respondents used condom among which only 9.40% used it consistently. Only 36.86% of the respondents had been screened for HIV, among this group 60.92% got tested in a government facility and only 43.68% had the test with their main sexual partner.
About 25.48% of the respondents had treated an STI in the past. Pain during urination was the most common symptom (52.49%), among this group, 22.39% went to a health facility as their first ac on, more of the respondents (40.30%) were treated by traditional healers and 37.31% chemist. Respondents who used inappropriate STI treatment measure were more likely to have used condom at last sex (p=0.040).
Conclusion: The participants exhibited poor knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and STI, likewise inadequate preventive measures and inappropriate treatment practices were utilised. Educators, STI counsellors as well as HCT services should be available within garages. Peer educators should be trained among NURTW members.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, STIs, Knowledge, Prevention, NURTW.

Cite this article: Lawal AO, Sekoni AO. Knowledge, prevention and treatment measures used regarding HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections among members of the national union of road transport workers in Mushin, Lagos State. Yen Med J. 2020;2(1):94-104.

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