Determinants of HIV risk among Indian truck drivers

Although there are very high levels of HIV risk sexual behavior in India, t here has been little research on the determinants of this behavior, the psy chosocial correlates of condom use, or the potential for effective behavior change interventions. The present research used the information-motivation -behavioral skills (IMB; Fisher & Fisher, Psychol. Bull. Ill (1992) 455, in : J. Peterson, R. Di Clemente (Eds.), HIV Prevention Handbook, Plenum, New York, 2000, pp. 3-55) model of HIV risk behavior to explore these issues in a sample of Indian truck drivers, a population that comprises an important vector of HIV transmission. This paper presents correlational data on the predictors of HIV risk and preventive behavior in a sample of truck drivers in Chennai, India. The data were collected via detailed individual structu red interviews with 300 Indian truck drivers. Results indicated that Indian truck drivers had substantial deficits with respect to HIV prevention info rmation, motivation, and behavioral skills. Consistent with the IMB model, these deficits were often found to be predictive of HIV risk and preventive behavior. The implications of these findings for future intervention are d iscussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.