Perceived Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and Public Health Implications of Risky Sexual Behaviour among Truck Drivers along Ijora Transport Corridor in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the knowledge and attitudes of long-distance truck drivers toward HIV/AIDS at the Ijora loading point in Lagos, Nigeria. Given their mobile lifestyle and extended periods away from home, truck drivers are often exposed to high-risk sexual behaviours. A quantitative research design was employed, utilising a structured questionnaire distributed across four identified clusters, with a total of 240 respondents. Findings revealed that 45% of drivers maintained multiple wives along their routes, 37% engaged in casual sexual encounters, and 15% kept regular partners in different locations. Despite 95% reporting awareness about condoms, usage was low due to beliefs in the efficacy of traditional medicine (51%), reduced sexual satisfaction (10%), and trust in known partners (22%). Prolonged absence from home (up to 8 weeks) further exacerbated these practices. The study underscores a critical gap in the effectiveness of existing HIV prevention strategies, highlighting the persistence of cultural beliefs and misconceptions. It concludes that addressing these behavioural patterns is essential to reducing Nigeria’s high HIV burden, particularly among mobile occupational groups like truck drivers.
Keywords
HIV/AIDS, truck drivers, sexual behaviour, condom use, risk perception