STIHIV Risk Among Bolivian Truck Drivers … Sorensen et al. Heterosexual STIHIV Risk Assess.pdf

STI/HIV Risk Among Bolivian Truck Drivers… Sorensen et al. Heterosexual STI/HIV Risk Assessment Among Bolivian Truck Drivers Using Mixed Methodology 1 2 3 William Sorensen, PhD ; Peter B. Anderson, PhD ; Richard Speaker, PhD ; Saul Menacho, MS4 ; Jose Enrique Vilches, MS5 1 2 Author is affiliated with the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Texas Tyler. Author is affiliated with the School of Health and Human Services at Walden University. Author3 is affiliated with the Department of Education at the University of New Orleans. Author4 is affiliated with the SexSalud Clinic in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Author5 is affiliated with Human Resources at Commental S.A., in Bolivia. Contact Author: William Sorenson, University of Texas Tyler, Department of Health and Kinesiology, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75799; phone: 903-566-7032; fax: 903-566-7065; email: william_sorensen@ Submitted January 23, 2006; Revised and Accepted January 15, 2007 Abstract In a study to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and sex behaviors in an occupation that facilitates high HIV transmission globally, 71 Bolivian truck drivers participated in a multiple method needs assessment, in four phases. In all phases, majority of truckers reported contact with casual sex partners. Fifty-two percent of truckers in the qualitative phases reported having had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and 27% indicated having anal sex with female partners. These data, combined with truckers demonstrating inconsistent STI/HIV knowledge and condom use, place Bolivian truck drivers and their spouses at risk for HIV/AIDS. Government and non- governmental or