1. Knowledge, Attitude and, Practices regarding HIV/AIDS, injecting drugs and sexual practices among truckers and allied population in East Jaiñtia Hills of Meghalaya
Project Background:
Truck drivers are considered to be at risk of a sexually promiscuous lifestyle and higher susceptibility to HIV/ STI infection. Truck drivers and helpers (truckers) are known to be at an increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in India with about 5-6 million truck drivers and helpers in India, of whom approximately 3.5 million are long-distance truckers. At the population level, truckers are 2-5 times more likely to be HIV-infected than men in other professions.
According to some studies, the sources of HIV/AIDS knowledge include television, banners/posters, newspapers, doctors, and radio. This suggests that mass media platforms play a significant role in disseminating information about HIV/AIDS.
The extant literature on truckers from India has focused mostly on the prevalence and risk factors of HIV transmission with no studies being conducted with these risk groups in Meghalaya. The study aims to assess the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of vulnerable groups in Meghalaya. According to the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, East Jaiñtia Hills District is considered a high-risk district with respect to HIV/AIDS as the prevalence of injecting drug users and also PLHA is high.
Project Objectives:
- To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HIV /AIDS and injecting drugs among truckers and allied populations.
- To examine the knowledge, attitude and sexual practices among truckers and allied population
PI: Dr Melari Shisha Nongrum, Associate Professor, IIPHS.
Co-PI: Carinthia Balabet Nengnong, Research Officer, IIPHS.
Funding Agencies: National AIDS Control Organization, New Delhi
Year: 2023