AEGiS-14IAC: Dynamics and determinants of risk behaviors on India's national highways.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Dynamics and determinants of risk behaviors on India's national highways.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrC1229)

Manoharan SJ, Mills SJ
Family Health International, New Delhi, India

BACKGROUND: India's national highway network of 52,000km spans 35 states with different epidemic settings. The Behavior Surveillance Survey (BSS) measured key sexual risk behaviors (RB) among mobile and stationary populations on halt points on highways throughout the country.

METHODS: Measurements on indicators were obtained from regional samples for truck drivers (N=6x800) and female sex workers (FSW) (N=6x250) and all-India sample for truck helpers (TH)(N=1200) and stationary workers (SW) (N=1200). Structured interviews were conducted after initial qualitative research, questionnaire development, mapping and sampling frame construction. Key Findings: Truck Drivers: Proportion reporting sexual intercourse (SI) with a commercial partner (CP) in past year was 18% in West, 21% in South, 25% in East, 40% in North East (NE), 48% in North and 49% in Central region. Median number of CPs reported in last 12 months was highest in East at 5. Reported condom use at last SI with CP was lowest in NE at 45%. 31% in South knew of a colleague who had died of AIDS. FSWs: Median number of partners in last 7 days was highest in South (27) and lowest in NE (8). Truck drivers were the largest client segment of FSWs, from 62% in West to 98% in North. Condom use with last paying partner reported by FSWs ranged from 54% (Central) to 96% (South). Condom use during every SI in last 30 days ranged from 31% (Central) to 85% (South). TH and SW: 30% of TH and 15% of SW, majority in the 18 to 24 age range reported SI with a CP in past 12 months. 29% of TH and 31% of SW reported condom use during every SI with a CP in last 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Wide variations by region /demographic factors in reported risk behaviors across all groups indicate potential for HIV spread. More in-depth analysis will investigate reasons behind these differences and identify areas for intervention. RBs measured now need to be tracked over time.

Keywords: AEGIS, Risk-Taking, Sex Behavior, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Federal Government, Motor Vehicles, Questionnaires, India, Occupations, Human, Female

020707
TuOrC1229