title: The assessment of seafarers' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to STI/HIV/AIDS in northern Morocco.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of seafarers in relation to sexually transmitted infections (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This transversal, descriptive and behavioural study was conducted in 2014 on a representative sample of 1447 seafarers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of participation was 95%. The mean age was 36.1 ± 8.2 years. Knowledge about transmission and prevention mode was satisfactory on HIV/AIDS; however, some misconceptions still persist. The level of stigmatisation and discrimination towards people living with the virus was considered high. The prevalence of sexual high-risk behaviour was significant: 32% had at least two sexual partners and 26.3% have had sex with sex workers, 60% of them were not protected; 42.8% have never used the condom and only 15.1% used it systematically. The sailors who had sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol or drugs are less protected. As too HIV testing, only 10.2% did it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed a gap in knowledge about transmission and prevention of HIV infection/AIDS and sexual risk behaviour. Increasing awareness and information among seafarers is of prime importance.
authors.forename: Salwa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laraqui
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laraqui
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manar
authors.forename: Tarik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ghailan
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belabsir
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deschamps
authors.affiliation: Ecole supérieure d'ingénierie de la santé, Casablanca Association marocaine de recherche en santé au travail, 39, Bd Lalla Yacout, Casablanca, Maroc. chlaraqui51@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chakib H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Laraqui
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D009326:Naval Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: STI/HIV/AIDS; attitudes; knowledge; practices; seafarers