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Pundhir A, Shukla A, Goel AD, Pundhir P, Gupta MK, Parashar P, Varshney AM. Exploring unsafe sexual practices among truck drivers at Meerut District, India: a cross-sectional study. Afr Health Sci 2021; 21:547-556. [PMID: 34795707 PMCID: PMC8568232 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v21i2.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite implementation of HIV prevention programmes for truck drivers in India, unsafe sex behavior among truck drivers has been documented. Objective The objective of this study was to assess knowledge about HIV Transmission and modes of prevention, pattern of condom use with high risk partners and explore the practice of unsafe sex and its risk factors among truck drivers. Methods This exploratory cross-sectional study design was conducted on a recruited convenient sample of 100 truck drivers above 18 years from March to May 2015. Binary logistic regression was used to compute unadjusted odds ratio [95% Confidence Interval] for establishing association of risk factors with unsafe sex. Results Overall, only 7% had complete knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. 54% of truck drivers have sex with a high risk partner (commercial sexual worker or men having sex with men) and thirty-eight percent reported unsafe sexual practices due to inconsistent condom use with them. The various risk factors found significantly associated with unsafe sex were mean age of first intercourse (OR= 0.92, 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.97), access to pornography (OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.8 – 10.7) and conuming psychoactive substance before sex (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 1.09 – 15.02). Conclusion Socio-demographic, occupational factors, pornography access and consuming psychoactive substances seems to influence the sexual behaviour of truckers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Pundhir
- Department of Community Medicine Rama Medical College, Kanpur ,Uttar Pradesh India - 209217
| | - Arvind Shukla
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Raipur Raipur, Chattisgarh
| | - Akhil Dhanesh Goel
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Pooja Pundhir
- Department of Internal Medicine Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Manoj Kumar Gupta
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Pawan Parashar
- Department of Community Medicine Subharti Medical College Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Amit Mohan Varshney
- Department of Community Medicine Maharani Laxmibai Medical College Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
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García PJ, Fazio B, Bayer AM, Lizarraga AG, Chiappe M, La Rosa S, Lazo M, López L, Valderrama M, Cárcamo CP. Sexual health knowledge and practices and STI/HIV prevalence among long-distance truck drivers in Peru. SAGE Open Med 2017; 5:2050312117746308. [PMID: 29276592 PMCID: PMC5734555 DOI: 10.1177/2050312117746308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives HIV and other sexually transmitted infections remain a challenge globally and many key groups have yet to be studied. Evidence shows that truck drivers may have high-risk behaviors and higher sexually transmitted infection/HIV prevalence because they are a highly mobile population. However, there is little to no information on this group in Peru. Therefore, we explored the sexual health knowledge and practices and carried out sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing among male truck drivers and their assistants in Peru. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing cell phone-based behavioral surveys and sexually transmitted infection testing, including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, with truck drivers and their assistants who were traveling on two major international highways in Peru. Results A total of 1150 truck drivers and assistants participated. Participants were middle-aged men (average age = 39.8 years), 96.0% had complete secondary education, 78.4% were in stable relationships, and 88.7% earned more than minimum wage. The majority were aware of sexually transmitted infections/HIV, but very few recognized sexually transmitted infection symptoms. Few participants (under 5%) reported recent sexually transmitted infection symptoms. Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was also low: no one had gonorrhea; 0.1% had HIV; 0.4% had recent syphilis infection (rapid plasma reagin ≥1:8); and 2.0% had chlamydia. The prevalence of these diseases is not different from that of the general population in Peru. Conclusion When compared to other truck drivers worldwide, Peruvian truck drivers appear to have a lower risk of HIV/sexually transmitted infections. This may be since Peruvian drivers are older, more educated, have higher income, and spend fewer days away from home than their peers globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricía J García
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Boris Fazio
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Angela M Bayer
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aldo G Lizarraga
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Marina Chiappe
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Sayda La Rosa
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Marcela Lazo
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Lorena López
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - María Valderrama
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - César P Cárcamo
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Teles SA, Gir E, Martins RMB, Dos Santos Carneiro MA, de Matos MA, Caetano KAA. Emergent predictors of hepatitis C infection among non-injection drug users. J Infect Public Health 2017; 11:526-529. [PMID: 29097105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 09/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents a significant public health issue, especially among high-risk populations, such as truck drivers, prisoners, people living with HIV, people living with tuberculosis, and people who are homeless. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzed the data of 1600 individuals recruited from high-risk populations who denied the use of injection drugs and/or history of blood transfusion to better understand on epidemiology of HCV. RESULTS The presence of HCV antibodies was independently associated with the following risk factors: age >40years, tattoo or body piercing, sharing of personal care items, and non-injection drug use. CONCLUSIONS While the use of injection drugs is a prevalent mode of HCV transmission, the findings of this study indicate additional routes that lead to viral transmission among vulnerable populations. Since an HCV vaccine is not currently available, public health and education programs should be developed that specifically target high-risk populations to prevent infection acquisition and secondary transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila A Teles
- Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil.
| | - Elucir Gir
- Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina M B Martins
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos A de Matos
- Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Karla A A Caetano
- Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
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Borges CM, Campos ACV, Vargas AMD, Ferreira EFE. [Adult tooth loss profile in accordance with social capital and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics]. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2016; 19:1849-58. [PMID: 24897484 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232014196.02332013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Demographic and socioeconomic conditions play an important role in tooth loss in the population, however, there is little scientific evidence regarding the influence of social capital on this outcome. The scope of this study was to describe the tooth loss profile of adults aged 35-44, who are residents of the surrounding area of the city of Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais. This cross-sectional exploratory study comprised a sample of 1,013 adults. The dependent variable was tooth loss. Exploratory variables were social capital, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) was used to map the adult tooth loss profile which was explained by low levels of social capital (47.0%; p < 0.001), more elderly adults (60.2%; p < 0.001), and low education levels (66.3%; p = 0.022). In the high social capital group, age was the determinant factor of tooth loss, irrespective of educational level or per capita income. The conclusion, at the individual level, is that social capital as well as demographic and socio economic characteristics explained the adult tooth loss profile. Individual social capital may have attenuated the negative influence of socioeconomic factors in the population under scrutiny.
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Villar LM, Ó KMRD, Scalioni LP, Cruz HM, Portilho MM, Mendonça ACF, Miguel JC, Figueiredo AS, Almeida AJD, Lampe E. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among military personnel. Braz J Infect Dis 2015; 19:285-90. [PMID: 25769737 PMCID: PMC9425365 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data regarding Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) prevalence among military personnel in Brazil are lacking, but the work-related risk of exposure can be high. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and the risk factors associated to HBV exposure among Brazilian military personnel. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted and included 433 male military adults aged 18-25 years old working in Rio de Janeiro during October 2013. All individuals completed a questionnaire to assess their risk of exposure and provided a blood sample to HBV and HCV testing. RESULTS None of the participants presented HBsAg or anti-HBc IgM, 18 (4.1%) were positive for total anti-HBc, 247 (57.0%) were positive for anti-HBs, and 3 (0.7%) were anti-HCV reactive. The majority of military personnel with past HBV infection (anti-HBc reactive) and HBV immunity (anti-HBs reactive) had a history of prior dental procedures (88.9% and 77.3%), consumption of alcohol at least once a week (50% and 55.9%), and practiced oral sex (61.1% and 58.3%, respectively). In addition, anti-HBc positivity was common among individuals with a history of surgery (44.4%) and practice of anal sex (50%). At univariate analysis, age group was associated to anti-HBc and anti-HBs positivity. CONCLUSIONS Low rates of HBV and HCV infection were observed among Brazilian military personnel in comparison to the general Brazilian population. HBV immunity rates were relatively low indicating the need for vaccination campaigns in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia M Villar
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Leticia P Scalioni
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Helena M Cruz
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Moyra M Portilho
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana C Miguel
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Andreza S Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Adilson J de Almeida
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Gaffrée & Guinle University Hospital, School of Medicine and Surgery, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Elisabeth Lampe
- Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Zou X, Chow EPF, Zhao P, Xu Y, Ling L, Zhang L. Rural-to-urban migrants are at high risk of sexually transmitted and viral hepatitis infections in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14:490. [PMID: 25200651 PMCID: PMC4169821 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid economic development in urban China has led to a mass migration of surplus rural residents into urban areas for better employment opportunities. This study aims to identify prevalence levels and risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hepatitis among the rural-to-urban migrant population in China. Methods Chinese and English literature databases were searched for studies reporting prevalence of HIV, STIs and viral hepatitis among rural-to-urban migrants in China between 1990 and 2013. The estimates were summarised through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The risks of infection were compared between migrants and the general Chinese population. Results We identified a total of 411 eligible studies. The prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts and HCV among migrants were 0.23% (0.20-0.27%), 0.69% (0.57-0.84%), 2.18% (1.30-3.64%), 1.54% (0.70-3.36%) and 0.45% (0.31-3.65%), representing 4.0 (3.1-5.2), 1.9 (1.1-3.0), 13.6 (5.8-32.1), 38.5 (15.7-94.5) and 3.8 (1.9-7.3) higher odds of infection than among the general population. Construction workers, long-distance truck drivers and migrant women through marriage were migrant subgroups that were highly susceptible to STIs and hepatitis. HIV prevalence among migrant pregnant women (0.10%, 0.02-0.49%) was significantly higher than that of pregnant women in the general Chinese population (OR = 7.7, 3.4-17.4). However, no significant differences were observed in STIs and hepatitis between overall female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM) and drug users (DUs), and the corresponding subgroups with a migratory background. Conclusions Rural-to-urban migrants have a higher risk of STIs and hepatitis than the general Chinese population, but a migratory background does not increase the infection risks of STIs and hepatitis in FSWs, MSM and DUs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-490) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Li Ling
- Faculty of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, #74, Zhongshan Road II, Guangzhou 510080, P,R, China.
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Naveira M, Barbosa J, Sereno L, Domanico A, Mesquita F, de Souza LA. 12 years of universal access to hepatitis C treatment: Brazil's comprehensive response. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2014; 13:560-7. [PMID: 25158974 DOI: 10.1177/2325957414547739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C is considered one of the most neglected diseases in world. Worldwide about 150 million people are chronically infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), and 60% to 70% of them will develop severe liver disease. This article describes Brazil's response to hepatitis C, from the first steps in 1993 to a national program in 2002. We reviewed the available literature, most of it in Brazilian Portuguese, and compiled them in order to share this experience with those seeking some pragmatic solutions. After 12 years, the national program has achieved universal coverage of treatment, resulting in saved lives and resources for the health system. There is abundant evidence that the HCV epidemic deserves attention. The overall consequence of long-term HCV infection is a negative impact on the health care economy. The Brazilian experience can be adapted to many countries in the world, in compliance with the 2010 World Health Organization World Health Assembly Resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Naveira
- Seção Centro de Referência em AIDS (SECRAIDS), Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jarbas Barbosa
- Ministry of Health, Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Leandro Sereno
- Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, Guarujá, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrea Domanico
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio Mesquita
- Ministry of Health, National Department of STD, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Laura Alves de Souza
- Ministry of Health, National Department of STD, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, Brasília, Brazil
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Distribution of hepatitis c virus (hcv) genotypes in patients with chronic infection from Rondônia, Brazil. Virol J 2011; 8:165. [PMID: 21486472 PMCID: PMC3082223 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important human pathogen affecting around 3% of the human population. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are approximately 2 to 3 million HCV chronic carriers. There are few reports of HCV prevalence in Rondônia State (RO), but it was estimated in 9.7% from 1999 to 2005. The aim of this study was to characterize HCV genotypes in 58 chronic HCV infected patients from Porto Velho, Rondônia (RO), Brazil. Methods A fragment of 380 bp of NS5B region was amplified by nested PCR for genotyping analysis. Viral sequences were characterized by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences obtained from the GenBank (n = 173). Sequences were aligned using Muscle software and edited in the SE-AL software. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation (MCMC) to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3. Results From 58 anti-HCV positive samples, 22 were positive to the NS5B fragment and successfully sequenced. Genotype 1b was the most prevalent in this population (50%), followed by 1a (27.2%), 2b (13.6%) and 3a (9.0%). Conclusions This study is the first report of HCV genotypes from Rondônia State and subtype 1b was found to be the most prevalent. This subtype is mostly found among people who have a previous history of blood transfusion but more detailed studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to understand the HCV dynamics in the population of Rondônia State, Brazil.
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