A total number of two hundred eighty three long distance truck drivers
and their assistants (loaders) who ferry goods between Kenya and Zair
e were included in a cross-sectional study between September 1991 and
April 1992, Twenty six percent of the study subjects were seropositive
for HIV-1 and none were HIV-2 seropositive. Countries of birth and re
sidence were significantly associated with HIV infection (X(2)=23.6, P
=0.0006). Significant associations were also found between HIV seropos
itivity and level of education from secondary school and above (OR=3.4
, 95% C.I.=1.01-11.55); being circumcised was more protective, (OR=0.3
8; 95% C.I.=0,19-0.76), history of many years of driving X(2)=9.3, p=0
.0254) and income (OR=11.13, 95% C.I.=1.35-91.95). When a stepwise mul
tiple logistic regression model was fitted to all the variables observ
ed to be significant in the univariate analysis, the following risk fa
ctors attained statistical significance: lack of circumcision (OR=3.75
); income greater than Ksh. 2000 (OR=7.24); being employed in long dis
tance driving more than 11 years (OR=3.98); and secondary school educa
tion and above (OR=4.06, 95% C.I.=1.18-13.98). Reference for all the a
bove Odds Ratios was 1.