Using digital communication technology fails to improve longitudinal evaluation of an HIV prevention program aimed at Indian truck drivers and cleaners
Schneider, J.A.; Kondareddy, D.; Gandham, S.; Dude, A.M.
Aids and Behavior 16(5): 1359-1363
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1090-7165 PMID: 21983800 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-0060-6Document Number: 554144
HIV prevention programs for truck drivers and cleaners (TDC) in India are limited. Longitudinal follow-up presents an obstacle to program effectiveness evaluation. We asked 3,028 TDC in a truck-driver HIV prevention program in Hyderabad to leave a cellular telephone number; we contacted participants 6 months after the intervention to assess sexual risk behavior change. Married, older, and better educated participants were more likely to leave phone numbers. Only 6.5% of TDC were reachable after 6 months. Longitudinal follow-up of this mobile sub-population remains a challenge, and more effective methods for evaluating HIV prevention programs are needed.
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