SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG LONG DISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS AT SOBA TRUCK DEPOT-MAY 2006
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG LONG DISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS AT SOBA TRUCK DEPOT-MAY 2006
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2015-04-12
Authors
Elmak, Suad
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UOFK
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were ranked among the most
important threats to public health. In developing countries STIs have
for several decades ranked among the top five infections for which
adult seek health care services.
Recent evidence prove that people infected with STIs run much
higher risks of contracting HIV infection through direct biological
mechanisms, and with reduced awareness of people of such diseases
and their sequel the need for control become ever pressing.
Knowledge about health and health seeking behavior in relation to
STIs, what makes people decide to seek professional attention for
suspected STIs, or their priorities when using services for sexual
health, can help pragramme planners to identify obstacles to early
diagnosis and effective treatment of STIs and implement appropriate
interventions.
Truck drivers are a mobile group whose health is constantly under
pressure, they are globally referred to as high-risk group who are
highly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS/STI.
Objective:-
This descriptive cross-sectional community based study was
conducted with attempt to study the prevalence, pattern, and
determinants of health care-seeking behavior in relation to STIs
among long distance truck drivers at soba truck depot.
V
Methodology: -
A descriptive cross – sectional community based study at soba truck depot,
in which structured, close ended questionnaire was administered to 422
truck drivers in addition to focus group discussion with 6 different
groups.
Result:-
The study revealed that most of the respondents were Sudanese with
mean age of 35 years, and low income (73.5%), knowledge was found
to be high (92%). The prevalence of the main syndromes during the
last 12 months was found to be 17.5% for urethral discharge, 5.7% for
genital ulcer, and 12.3% for lower abdominal pain. The study showed
low level of partner's notification (14.9%). Slightly more than half of
our respondent (51%) selected governmental hospital for treatment,
and reason for preference of health providers were found to be easy
accessibility to services, confidentiality and good attitude of staff,
availability of drugs with high level of satisfaction (95%). Treatment
compliance found to be also high (87.9%), in contrast to very low
condom use rate (5%). Health education message by health providers
was very poor (5%). Stigma (38.1%), ignorance of disease and its
sequel (23.8%), loss of privacy (9.5%), were the main barrier for
seeking care. The study revealed significant relation between
initiation of care and income, knowledge, and age (P=0.001, 0.005,
0.005 respectively, and insignificant relation with income (P=0.200),
VI
education (P=0.267) and Choice of health provider. Still no significant
relation between accessibility to treatment and income (P=0.836) and
education (P=0.668), Compliance with treatment was found to be
significantly related to knowledge about STIs (P=0.005). Condom use
was found to be significantly related to knowledge (P=0.006), but
insignificantly related to age (P=0.338), and marital status (0.336).
Conclusion:-
The study concluded that the prevalence of STIs is similar to
prevalence in African countries. Lay referral play important role in
the management of STIs, easy accessibility to services and drugs,
privacy, confidentiality, and friendly attitude of the health staff were
the main reasons for preference of a health facility. Knowledge,
income, and stigma, are important determinants of STIs care seeking
behavior.
Recommendations:-
The main recommendation of this study was to improve the access to
STIs services along the high ways, and at the truck stops. To raise
awareness of the general population using media, video shows and
tape cassette. Collaboration with different health care providers to
use common STIs management protocol, focusing on behavior
change, by peer and other education, and further exploring and
enhancing condom use. As health seeking behavior is
multidimensional including social, cultural, economical and
VII
psychological factors, a medical anthropological study design is also
recommended to be conducted in the future.
Description
Keywords
SEXUALLY, TRANSMITTED, INFECTIONS, CARE, SEEKING,LONG ,DISTANCE,TRUCK, DRIVERS