National Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus among Long-distance truck drivers in Mali: Cross-Sectional Study.

Longue distance trucks drivers are a group of population exposed to higher risk of HIV transmission than the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the national prevalence of HIV among longue distance trucks drivers in Mali. A cross-sectional bio-behavioral survey was conducted among long-distance truck drivers in Mali using Time location Sampling (TLS). The study included the drivers that have been employed to drive long distance (at least 200 km one way) and aged ≥ 18 years. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25 were used for statistical analysis of weighted data. The study had the IRB approval under N°2017/58/CE/FMPOS. All participants provided written consent to participate in the survey. The national prevalence of HIV among truck drivers in Mali was 1.9%. The regions of Ségou, Sikasso, and Koulikoro had the highest prevalence rates, at 2.7%, 2.6%, and 2.0% respectively. Truck drivers aged 20 or over accounted for 91.5% of the total. Among truck drivers, 63.5% were educated and 57.2% were married. In terms of risky behavior, 31.8% had multiple sexual partners and 18.4% used alcohol and illicit drugs. 78.7% of them reported that condom use protected against HIV. It is necessary to implement strategies and interventions tailored to the prevention of new HIV infections among this key population group.