Sexual Risk Behaviours of Intercity Commercial Drivers In Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Long distance drivers are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections due to frequent recourse to casual sex. To examine the sexual risk behaviours of intercity commercial drivers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted by administering pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires to obtain information on the socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about HIV transmission and risk perception of the drivers. The eligibility criteria were Inter-state commercial bus and taxi driver who have been working for more than 6 months, drivers who are residents in Ilorin, who sets out from and returns to Ilorin and drivers registered with any of the drivers unions within Ilorin (NURTW or RTEAN). A multi-stage sampling technique was used. The drivers have a poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS and practice risky sexual activities, irrespective of their awareness about HIV/AIDS. Over half of the men gave a history of extramarital affairs and over a third have a positive history of penile pus or STDs, yet about 66% did not use condom always. Those who had extramarital affairs are significantly less likely to use condoms. Long distance drivers constituted a group of men with risky sexual behaviours that need to be targeted for interventions to encourage health sexual behaviours.