Background: HIV/AIDS is a global health challenge with a high burden in sub-Saharan Africa.Long-distance drivers are a high-risk group whose assessment of HIV status, awareness and willingness to undergo HIV self-testing (HIVST) could help prevent the spread of HIV infections.Objective: This study examined the sexual practices, risk perception and HIVST acceptability among long-distance truck drivers in Ekiti State, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among long-distance truck drivers between September 2019 and December 2019.
A semi-structured questionnaire was designed R-ALPHA LIPOIC ACID to investigate the perceived sexual risk factors and willingness to undergo HIVST.Results: Of the 306 drivers that participated in the study, almost half (49.8%) had their first sexual experience before they turned 18 years.About one-third (38.
6%) had multiple sex partners and (34.0%) patronised commercial sex workers in the past 6 months.Consistent use of condoms was reported in a negligible percentage (3.0%), while 7.
4% used Ringette - Cages intravenous drugs.Two-thirds of the respondents were interested in HIVST, while 32.2% knew their HIV status.Significant factors associated with multiple sex partners were the duration of working as a long-distance truck driver and patronage of sex workers.
Conclusion: A significant proportion of the long-distance drivers were engaged in unsafe sexual practices and are at risk for HIV transmission.Considering the mobile nature of the long-distance drivers, the risky practices of these workers require intense advocacy, testing and treatment to reduce HIV transmission.Scaling-up testing using HIVST has the potential to bridge the gap in the diagnosis of HIV among long-distance drivers who are willing to be tested.