"We examined sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV, and hepatitis virus prevalence and risk behaviors among truck drivers. We asked participants about their risk behaviors, and we screened them for STIs, HIV, and hepatitis infections," investigators in the United States report (see also Virology).

"We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with outcomes. Of the 652 enrolled participants, 21% reported sex with sex workers or casual partners in the prior year. Driving solo (odds ratio [OR] = 15.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.92, 117.53; P = .01), history of injection drug use (IDU; OR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.19, 6.12; P = .02), and history of an STI (OR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.19, 5.09; P = .01) were independently associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Fourteen percent of participants reported drug use in the previous year, and 11% reported having ever injected drugs. tested positive as follows: 54 for HCV antibodies (8.5%), 66 for hepatitis B anticore (anti-HBc) antibodies (10.4%), 8 for chlamydia (1.3%), 1 for gonorrhea (0.2%), 1 for syphilis (0.2%), and 1 for HIV (0.2%). History of injecting drugs (OR = 26.91; 95% CI = 11.61, 62.39; P< .01) and history of anti-HBc antibodies (OR = 7.89; 95% CI = 3.16, 19.68; P< .01) were associated with HCV infection," wrote S. Valway and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "Our results suggest a need for hepatitis C screening and STI risk-reduction interventions in this population. (Am J Public Health. 2009;99: 2063-2068. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.145383)."

Valway and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Public Health (Risk Assessment and Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV, and Hepatitis Virus Among Long-Distance Truck Drivers in New Mexico, 2004-2006. American Journal of Public Health, 2009;99(11):2063-2068).

For additional information, contact S. Valway, New Mexico Dept. of Health, Infectious Disease Bur, Public Health Division, 1190 S St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87502, USA.

The publisher of the American Journal of Public Health can be contacted at: American Public Health Association Inc., 800 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001-3710, USA.