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HIV/AIDS
Prevention among workers of the National Union of Road Transport (NURTW)
in Nigeria
Igie
Taiwo Kelvin, Imagbe Osazee and Monday
Udoh
Foundation
Aid Solution For Talent Empowerment & Development (FASTED)
Lagos
(Nigeria)
Objective:
The study investigated the effect of the transport industry on the
transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS. Transport workers are highly mobile
and spend long intervals away from the comforts of their homes. They are
often involved in risky sexual behaviours that make them vulnerable to HIV
infection. They constitute carriers in the spread of the pandemic. Method:
The study entailed interviewing more than 1,000 long haul drivers and
workers with the objective of inducing frank talk to assess their sexual
habits en route their long hauls. The limitation of this study was their
insistence on anonymity to avoid adverse effects on their social and
marriage stability. Results: More than 80 % of interviewees had more than
20 ‘female friends’ stationed at villages on highways across the
country. 60 % of the promiscuous group knew about condoms but never used
them. To them, ‘what was the use doing it if you could not have the real
thing’! Sadly, some of the interviewees stated they had no other
pleasure in life to indulge other than sex, and if they were to die doing
the only thing they enjoyed then who’s complaining!
Conclusion:
The NURTW was advised: 1. Create rest stations along the nation’s
highways, with lodging, canteen, games, TV/Video sets, and other
recreational facilities for drivers and motor boys. 2. Provide GSM phone
facilities for workers on long distance engagements to allow them keep in
touch with their families. 3. Organise seminars to educate workers on the
implications, prevalence and management of HIV/AIDS. 4. Provide medical
test and care facilities at those rest stations for the quiet testing of
workers for HIV/AIDS and dispensing of necessary drugs to sufferers.
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