A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the relative efficacy of adding voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) to information dissemination in reducing HIV-related risk behaviors among Hong Kong male cross-border truck drivers.
Mobile populations are vulnerable to contracting HIV. The present study aims to evaluate the relative efficacy of the voluntary counseling and testing plus information dissemination (VCT-ID) approach versus the information dissemination (ID) approach for promoting HIV preventive behaviors in a mobile population, cross-border truck drivers. A total of 301 adult male cross-border truck drivers who self-reported having had sex with female sex workers (FSW) or non-regular sex partners (NRPs) in mainland China in the last 12 months were recruited and randomized into the VCT-ID intervention group (Group I) or ID control group (Group C). Anonymous structured questionnaires, administered through a computer-assisted method, were used to collect data. At the follow-up survey (about 8-9 weeks since the baseline survey), Group I participants, as compared to Group C participants, were more likely to be consistent condom users when having sex with FSW (85.5% versus 68.5%, p<0.05) and with NRP (54.8% versus 36.4%, p<0.1), more knowledgeable about HIV, and were less likely to have contracted sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the last two months. The VCT-ID approach is shown to be more efficacious than the ID approach in promoting safer sex and HIV-related knowledge among local cross-border truck drivers. Feasibility of providing voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services at locations which are convenient to the target population is demonstrated. It also shows that VCT services can be used as a means of HIV prevention. The findings of this study resulted in up-scaled VCT services for the local target population.
Lau
Joseph T F
JT
Centre for Epidemiology & Biostatistics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
Tsui
Hi Yi
HY
Cheng
Shannon
S
Pang
Margaret
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D017280:Condoms / Q000639:trends; D003376:Counseling / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires