Introduction

HIV / AIDS is a serious challenge for the developing as well as developed world. In a span of two decades, since its first identification, HIV infection has become a pandemic and has posed a formidable challenge to mankind. Based on the revised estimates, HIV prevalence in the country was 0.36% in 2006 ₁ . AIDS prevention strategy largely depends on health education and behavioral changes based on AIDS awareness among the population which has started showing its results in India where the prevalence has shown slight decline in the recent past.

Awareness constitutes the cornerstone of all intervention endeavors for HIV transmission, more so in case of high risk groups.

Auto rickshaw drivers are a unique segment, in that by virtue of their work they come into contact with large number of people and can therefore act as agents spreading key messages about HIV/AIDS to the general public. ₂ With this perspective the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among auto rickshaw drivers in Ludhiana city.

Materials & Methods

The study was conducted on auto rickshaw drivers who were currently driving the vehicle. Seven main points of Ludhiana city were identified. Out of 1050 auto rickshaw drivers contacted, 600 agreed to participate. The knowledge about HIV/AIDS was assessed by using structured interview schedule. The interview schedule mainly focused on studying the awareness about modes of transmission, source of information, curability of disease and blood testing. The data collected were analyzed by using SPSS 16.0 software.

Results

Table- I reveals that 59.3% of the auto rickshaw drivers were in 21 to 40 years age group while the elder population was only 4.2%.

61.7% were native Punjabis while 38.3% were immigrants. Majority of the auto rickshaw drivers (65.8%) had education from primary to Matric, 25.3 % were illiterate and only 8.9% were graduates. 461(76.8%) auto rickshaw drivers were married. Out of total 600 auto rickshaw drivers, 384 (64%) had heard of HIV/ AIDS. Out of 185 subjects in 31-40 yrs age group, 141(76.2%) had heard about HIV/AIDS. The percentage of subjects who had heard about HIV/AIDS increased with increase in age except those above 50yrs of age in which the sample size was small. The observed difference was found to be highly significant (χ²=46.51, df=5 P<0.000). Education level had significant impact on the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among Auto rickshaw drivers. All the auto rickshaw drivers who were educated above Matric had heard about HIV/AIDS. Majority of the native Punjabis knew about HIV/AIDS (OR 3.11 95% CI: 2.17-4.48). Of the 461 married Auto rickshaw drivers, 322 (69.8%) knew about HIV/AIDS (OR 2.88 95% CI: 1.91-4.33).

Figure 1

Table 1: Profile of Auto Rickshaw drivers who had heard about HIV/AIDS

Table II indicates that out of 384 Auto rickshaw drivers, 74.2% knew that unprotected sex is the commonest mode of transmission. Infected blood and injections as mode of transmission was responded by 67.4% & 57.5% respectively. 15% subjects had misconceptions that even hand shaking; sharing clothes can spread AIDS while 26% said that mosquito bite can also spread AIDS

Figure 2

Table 2: Knowledge of Auto rickshaw drivers regarding Modes of transmission.

The study subjects were asked about the source of information regarding their knowledge about HIV/AIDS. TV was the main source of information as responded by 63% of them (Table III). 34.9% auto rickshaw drivers stated that they received information from friend followed by 25.5% through newspapers & posters. Other sources of information included health workers, Neighbors, Radio etc.

Figure 3

Table 3: Source of Information about HIV/AIDS.

Regarding the curability of the disease, 36.2% (1/3 ^rd ) correctly responded that disease is not curable (Table IV). 68.7% auto rickshaw drivers were in favour of getting blood tested for HIV in routine.

Figure 4

Table 4: Knowledge regarding Curability and Blood Testing

Discussion

In this study, it was found that 64.0% of Auto rickshaw drivers had heard about HIV/AIDS against 97.2% of awareness reported in study done among Truck drivers in Maharashtra in 2006 ₃ .In a study conducted in Aurangabad city of India ,88.0% Auto rickshaw drivers knew about HIV/AIDS. ₄

Awareness level increased with increase in education level. In the present study, 74.2% were aware that unprotected sex is the main mode of transmission whereas in the study done among Auto rickshaw drivers in Aurangabad , 100% subjects knew about sexual transmission of the disease ₄ . In a study done in Maharashtra , 94.69% truck drivers had knowledge of transmission by heterosexual route ₃ . In a study done in Chennai in Auto rickshaw drivers, 46.0% were aware of one correct way of transmission ₂ .

TV was the main source of information of HIV/AIDS in the present study. Similarly TV was considered the most common source (70.0%) in study done in Auto rickshaw drivers in Aurangabad city ₄ .

In this study, only 1/3 ^rd of Auto rickshaw drivers were aware about the incurability of the disease. Whereas in similar study done in Auto rickshaw drivers in Aurangabad, 51.1% knew about non curability of the disease.

Conclusion- In the present study, two third of Auto rickshaw drivers had heard about HIV/AIDS. Awareness level increased with increased level of education. So, the most viable and acceptable step would be to increase the education and awareness about this disease in the general population.