Ethnographic and quantitative research to design a community intervention among long-distance truckers in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

"Ethnographic and survery methods were combined to determine the behavioural risks of Zimbabwean truckers and to design an intervention with them. 70 drove long-distance within Zimbabwe and 30 drove internationally. 84 were married; but less than half their wives lived all year in town. 60 had girlfriends and 64 visited prostitutes when away. 66 had used condoms with prostitutes; but condom use with wives or girlfriends was markedly lower. In their last commercial encounter; 48 were drunk. Most knew of AIDS; mostly via radio; but knoledge was uneven e.g only 50 knew condoms afforded protection. Trucking and prostitution were closely interwoven prostitutes knew truck stops; frequently provided companioship and sex for free transportation and ""brothels"" often abutted trucker's hostels; Bar and hotel owners along highways encourage prostitutes because they attract the patronage of truckers. The nature of work underpinned sexual risks. Truckers were away over 14 days a month; with individual journeys often exceeding 10 days. Few truckers had home phones and were therefore isolated from their families for the duration of each trip. Truckers hired prostitutes because of loneliness; tedium; the dreariness of hostels and predominaly male ""anti-community"" environments. CONCLUSION: HIV susceptibility is deeply rooted in the singular character of trucking work. Intensive condom-oriented interventions; led; for empathy and credibility; by peer educators; are essential."