Perception of HIV infection prevention messages by truck drivers in Togo with respect to the <<Roulez Protégé>> billboard
Yaya, I.; Toudeka, A.Sitsopé.; N'Dri, Ké.Mathias.; Idrissou, D.; Vignikin, K.; d'Alessandro, Eénie.
Sante Publique 27(1): 89-97
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0995-3914 PMID: 26164959 Document Number: 638944
Togo is one of the West African countries in which HIV prevalence remains high in the general population. Several HIV prevention interventions have targeted truck drivers. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyse the perceptions of truck drivers with respect to the HIVprevention message of the <<Roulez Protégé>> billboard. A qualitative study was conducted among truck drivers at "Terminal du Sahel" in Lomé in May 2013 in French and sometimes in a local language. The data generated by this survey were submitted to qualitative analysis. A total of 24 truck drivers were interviewed. They had already heard about HIV/AIDS and were able to list various modes of HIV transmission and various ways of protecting oneselffrom HIV However, they had a poor perception of the risk of contracting HIV infection. Although all participants had seen the "Roulez Protégé" billboard several times in various places, it made them feelguilty, as itsuggested that they were responsiblefor spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Truck drivers had a poor understanding of the message expressed by this billboard. In Togo, truck drivers constitute a group at high risk of HIV in which prevention interventions must be intensified.