title: [Risk behaviors for sexually transmitted diseases among truck drivers in Brazil].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the frequency of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and associated risk factors based on self-reporting by long-haul truck drivers in Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  From October 2005-October 2006, 641 long-haul truck drivers that travel federal highway BR-153, traversing the country from south to north, were interviewed. A structured interview was used to collect sociodemographic data. The truck drivers also completed a self-administered questionnaire on risk behaviors and STD history. The data were adjusted and analyzed using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 641 drivers interviewed, 620 (96.7%) provided answers on STD history. Of these, 35.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 31.9-39.6) reported past or current STD. Being 30 years of age or older was statistically associated with having a history of STD. In addition, truck drivers who reported using amphetamines (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95%CI = 1.1-2.6), having been incarcerated (OR = 2.2; 95%CI = 1.2-4.2), and sexual relations with sex professionals (OR = 1.9; 95%CI = 1.3-2.8) had increased odds for having a history of STD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results confirm that Brazilian truck drivers are highly vulnerable to STD and show the importance of prevention programs targeting this specific group, one that is constantly on the move and may efficiently disseminate STD.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Goiás, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Goiânia, GO, Brasil. sheila@fen.ufg.br
authors.forename: Sheila Araujo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.forename: Marcos André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Matos
authors.forename: Karlla Antonieta Amorim
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Caetano
authors.forename: Ludmila Araujo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Divânia Dias da Silva
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: Grécia Carolina
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Pessoni
authors.forename: Sandra Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Brunini
authors.forename: Regina Maria Bringel
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martins