FACTORS INFLUENCING HIV COUSELLING AND TESTING SERVICE UTILISATION AMONG LONG DISTANCE COMMERCIAL BUS DRIVERS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Personal awareness of HIV status has been shown to foster reduction in risky behaviours that promotes HIV transmission. Long distance commercial drivers are a group at risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infections due to their frequent mobility and known tendency to patronise commercial sex workers. Utilisation of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) services among long distance drivers is known to be low though reasons for such utilisation are poorly documented. Understanding factors influencing utilisation of these services among this high risk group would be useful in designing appropriate interventions. This study was therefore conducted to determine the factors associated with HCT services utilisation among long distance commercial bus drivers in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was employed in which 522 long distance commercial bus drivers were selected from 5 parks out of the 12 motor parks in Ibadan through simple random and cluster sampling, respectively. Data were collected from the drivers using a pretested interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire containing variables on socio- demographic characteristics, knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, sexual behaviour, perceived risk of HIV infection, awareness and utilisation of HCT services. Knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention was assessed on a 28-point scale in which scores >14 were categorised as good knowledge. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi square test and logistic regression at p = 0.05. All respondents were males aged 42.8±10.1 years. Majority (81.8%) were Yoruba and 43.8% had attained only primary education. Majority (99.2%) and 95.8% of the respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS and HCT respectively. Many (65 .7%) were aware of a facility offering HCT. Many (64.2%) had good knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. Most (99.8%) had ever had sex and 3 7 .2% had ever had a sexually transmitted disease (STD). About 51.9% had ever received HCT. Utilisation of HCT was significantly higher among respondents with good knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention (59.4%), that have ever had STD (60.3%), who had ever heard of HCT (54.2%) and were aware of a facility offering HCT services (69.1%). The significant predictors of utilisation of HCT services were: good knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention (OR=2.3, CI=1.6-3.3), ever had STD (OR=l.7, CI=l.2-2.5) and awareness of facility offering HCT services (OR=9.5, CI=6.2-14.8). Utilisation of HIV Counselling and Testing services was strongly influenced by having good knowledge of HIV transmission, prevention and awareness of a facility offering HCT services. Comprehensive health education intervention focusing on HIV transmission and prevention for long distance commercial bus drivers in Ibadan is recommended, to enhance utilisation of the services.