Sexual Lifestyle of Long-Distance Drivers in Port Harcourt Metropolis

ABSTRACT

Background: Long-distance drivers are away from home for days and often times they visit roadside hotels for food; rest; leisure; alcohol; and become prey for commercial sex workers. Aim: To determine the current sexual life style of long distance drivers from Port Harcourt to western and northern parts of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional survey of long distance drivers to western and northern parts of Nigeria in five motor parks in Port Harcourt metropolis was conducted. The drivers were involved in questionnaire-based interview from 1st February to 31st July 2007. Results: Ninety-four long journey drivers were studied. Sixty-one (64.9) were married with children while 33(35.1) were single. The respondents all had multiple sexual partners ranging from 2-5; with an average of three during the past one year. Twenty-six (27.7) admitted use of condom. Most [81(86.2)] of the sexual practices were vaginal. Forty-three (45.7) of the respondents drank alcohol when on long distance journey while 28(29.8) admitted having sexually transmitted diseases during the past one year. Eighty-one (86.2) of the respondents had knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that long-journey drivers are important in spreading sexually transmitted and HIV infections in this country. There is therefore; need to find effective strategies to persuade long journey drivers to change their risky sexual behaviour