title: Sexually transmitted infections and risk factors among truck stand workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their risk factors among workers in and near a truck stand in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 696 men and 206 women were recruited into a cross-sectional study using a census that enumerated transport agents, motor mechanics, laborers, and vendors in Tejgaon truck stand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence rates of syphilis (rapid plasma reagin and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination), gonorrhea (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]), and chlamydial infections (PCR) among men were 4.1%, 7.7%, and 2.3%, respectively, and among women were 2.9%, 8.3%, and 5.2%. Multivariable analysis revealed that having >or=2 sex partners in the last month, never using a condom with sex workers, and ever injecting narcotics were significant predictors of STI among men. Being never married, working as a laborer, older age, and living within the truck stand were significant predictors of practicing high-risk behaviors among men, but none predicted infection with STIs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both behavioral and STI data suggest that truck stand workers should be included in the STI/HIV intervention programs.
authors.affiliation: ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research, Bangladesh. nazmul@uab.edu
authors.forename: Nazmul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Motiur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Kaniz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gausia
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Yunus
authors.forename: Nazrul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Parwez
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaudhury
authors.forename: Shirajum
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monira
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Funkhouser
authors.forename: Sten H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Vermund
authors.forename: Japhet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Killewo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population