Prevalence And Determinants Of Hiv Risk Behaviours Among Seafarers In Port Harcourt Seaport Rivers State

HIV/AIDS in seafaring is a global health issue with adverse effects on the seafarers and theeconomy at large. In spite of the role of seafaring in the spread of HIV epidemic, most of theresearches in Nigeria hitherto focused on land-based transport workers. The few available dataon seafaring in Nigeria, was limited to HIV knowledge, attitude and practice, without exploringthe determinants of HIV risk behaviours. This study aimed at determining the prevalence anddeterminants of HIV risk behaviours among seafarers in Port Harcourt Port, Rivers State.A cross sectional study design comprising of quantitative and qualitative components wasemployed in the study. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, seafaring relatedcharacteristics, HIV knowledge, attitude and risk behaviours were collected using a validated,pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire. The level of HIV knowledge were categorized asgood, fair and poor while HIV attitude was classified as either positive or negative attitude. Thequalitative component of the study employed the use of focus group discussion guide. Bivariateand multivariate analysis were done to explore the determinants of HIV risk behaviours.The study had a total of 103 seafarers. The mean age ± standard deviation of the seafarers was38.8 ± 8.51 years. Majority of the seafarers were males (92.2%; n=95) and spent six months ormore on sea voyage (53.4%; n=55). The level of HIV knowledge was good in 68.9% (n=71) ofthe respondents while 49.5% (n=51) had comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge. Most of the seafarers had positive HIV attitude (88.3%. n=91). HIV screening among seafarers whoconsented to the test (n=92) revealed that one out of the 92 seafarers was positive, giving an HIVprevalence rate of 1.1%.The prevalence of multiple sex partnership was 29.1% (n=30); transactional sex was 6.8% (n=7);homosexuality was 1.0% (n=1) and illicit intra-venous drug use was 2.9% (n=3). Thirty-five of the seafarers (34.0%) engaged in one or more HIV risk behaviours and non-condom use amongthem was 85.7% (30 out of the 35 seafarers).Sex, time period on voyage and comprehensive knowledge were significantly associated withHIV risk behaviours (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that seafarers who spent six ormore months on voyage were three times more likely to engage in HIV risk behaviours thanthose who spent less than six months (Adjusted odds ratio=3.08; 95% confidence interval=1.26-7.51; p<0.05). Also, seafarers with no comprehensive HIV knowledge were about 2.5 times morelikely to engage in HIV risk behaviours than those with comprehensive HIV knowledge(Adjusted odds ratio=2.49; 95% confidence interval=1.03-5.96; p<0.05). The qualitative analysisrevealed that long duration on sea, non-allowance of spouse during the voyage trip, presence ofbrothels around the port areas, lack of discipline of seafarers and lack of HIV sensitization visitsto seafarers by the port authority were also determinants of HIV risk behaviours.The prevalence of HIV risk behaviours among seafarers in Port Harcourt Seaport is high and thedeterminants of these behaviours include long duration of voyage and lack of comprehensiveknowledge on HIV. The study recommends regular HIV sensitization visits to seafarers toincrease HIV knowledge and discourage HIV risk behaviours. Health education strategies usingbehavioural change communication is also advocated.Keywords: HIV risk behaviours, seafarers, Port Harcourt Port,

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