| Summary: | Aims: To establish the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS among Nigerian long distance drivers and to ascertain their sexual behaviour.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 211 male long distance drivers aged between 18 and 65 years was carried out in Enugu State, Nigeria. The survey instrument was a questionnaire with questions pertaining to various aspects of HIV/AIDS including transmission, prevention and sexual behaviour.
Results: All the subjects have heard about HIV/AIDS, with most of the initial information (64.9%) coming from the radio. A good proportion (50.2%) had a correct knowledge of the cause of AIDS, and this was found to be directly proportional to their educational attainment. Patronage of female commercial sex workers was high (73.4%), with more involvement in unmarried and younger men. Only 37.4% of the study population made use of condom during casual sex; the most common reason for non-use being that it reduces sensation. Practice of homosexuality was not recorded.
Conclusion: The study showed that Nigerian long distance drivers engage in risky sexual behaviour that promotes HIV transmission. More intensive public awareness campaign is required in this target group in order to prevent an explosive AIDs situation in the near future.
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