HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND SYPHILIS INFECTIONS AMONG LONGDISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS IN, A PORT CITY IN GHANA

Authors

  • Andrew A. Adjei Department of Pathology, University of Ghana
  • Priscilla Boahema Atta Central Laboratory, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
  • Francis Krampa Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School
  • Margaret Lartey Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korle-bu Teaching Hospital
  • Nicholas Nii Trebi School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana
  • Mubarak Abdul Rahman Department of Immunology, University of Ghana Medical School
  • Seth Agyemang Central Laboratory, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
  • Theophilus K. Adiku Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School
  • Yao Tettey Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School
  • Richard K. Gyasi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/ajid.v10i1.2

Keywords:

HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Long distance truck drivers, Port.

Abstract

Background: Although the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis infections among longdistance truck drivers has been well documented globally, such data are sparse from Africa, and there has been no such data from Ghana. This study carried out between the months of January and June 2013 sought to determine the sero-prevalence and risk factors of HIV, HBV and syphilis infections among long distance truck drivers at the Tema sea port, Ghana. Materials and Methods: Of a total of 800 eligible drivers, 106 (13.25%) drivers consented to take part in the study. Subjects voluntarily completed a risk factor questionnaire and provided blood specimen for testing for HIV, syphilis and the surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg). Results: The mean age of the drivers was 40.56 ± 11.56 years. The sero-prevalence of HIV was 0.94%, 14.2% had HBsAg and reactive syphilis serology was 3.8%. On multivariate analysis, the main determinants of HBV infection were; multiple sexual partnership (OR, 6.36; 95% CI: 1.35– 29.79), patronage of commercial sex workers (OR, 6.85; 95% CI: 0.88 – 52.89), cross-border travelers (OR: 6.89-fold, 95% CI: 0.86 - 55.55) and prolonged duration of trips for more than two weeks (OR: 4.76; 95% CI: 0.59 – 38.02). The main determinant of syphilis infection on multivariate analysis was being a Muslim (OR, 2.19; 95% CI: 0.22 – 21.74). Conclusion: The data indicate a lower sero-prevalence of HIV but a higher sero-prevalence of syphilis. However, the sero-prevalence of HBV infection is comparable to that of the general population.

Author Biography

Andrew A. Adjei, Department of Pathology, University of Ghana

Andrew Anthony Adjei FGA Professor of Immunology Director of Research University of Ghana Legon Accra Ghana

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Published

2015-08-01

How to Cite

Adjei, A. A., Atta, P. B., Krampa, F., Lartey, M., Nii Trebi, N., Abdul Rahman, M., Agyemang, S., Adiku, T. K., Tettey, Y., & Gyasi, R. K. (2015). HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS, HEPATITIS B VIRUS AND SYPHILIS INFECTIONS AMONG LONGDISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS IN, A PORT CITY IN GHANA. African Journal of Infectious Diseases (AJID), 10(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajid.v10i1.2

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Articles