Abstract：Objective To investigate the infection status of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV), changing tendency of behavior characteristics and risk factors of syphilis infection among long-distance truckers in the border region of Guangxi so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating targeted intervention strategy. Methods According to the National AIDS Sentinel Surveillance Protocol, the surveillance period was identified from April to June in 2013-2015. During the surveillance period, we recruited the research objects by snowball sampling and respondent-driven sampling methods in the parking lots of Puzhai border trade zone of Guangxi. Their demographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and sexual behavior characteristics were survyed with questionnaires. The venous blood samples (3-5 ml) were collected to test antibodies against HIV, syphilis and HCV, and the infection status of HIV, syphilis and HCV and the risk factors of syphilis infection were analyzed. Results During the surveillance period of2013-2015, 400 long-distance truckers were surveyed in each year. The positive rates of HIV and syphilis antibodies over the three years were 0.08% (1/1,200) and 3.08% (37/1,200) respectively. The antibody positive rates of syphilis in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 2.25% (9/400), 2.25% (9/400) and 4.75% (19/400) respectively, showing an increasing tendency (χ2=4.180, P=0.041), but having no statistically significant differences (χ2=5.577, P=0.064). The positive rate of HCV antibody was 0.75% (9/1,200) over the three years,0.50% (2/400) in 2013 and 2014, and 1.25% (5/400) in 2015, showing no statistically significant differences (χ2=1.76,P=0.258). The awareness rate of AIDS-related knowledge was 99.08% (1,189/1,200) for total, 97.25% (389/400)), 100% (400/400) and 100% (400/400) in 2013, 2014 and 2015respectively, showing a gradually increasing tendency (χ2=16.639, P=0.000)and statistically significant differences (χ2=19.198,P=0.000). The proportion of commercial sexual behavior was 11.50% (138/1,200) in 2013-2015, 15%(60/400), 9.75% (39/400) and 9.75% (39/400) in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, showing a gradually decreasing tendency (χ2=5.412, P=0.020) and statistically significant differences (χ2=7.222,P=0.030). The proportion of condom use in each commercial sexual behavior in the recent year was 81.16% (112/138) in 2013-2015, 80% (48/60), 87.18% (34/39) and 76.92% (30/39) in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, without statistically significant differences (χ2=1.435, P=0.511). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age and positive serum HCV antibody were the risk factors of syphilis infection. Conclusions The HIV infection rate of the long-distance truck drivers in the border region of Guangxi in 2013-2015 is at a low level, while the infection rates of syphilis and HCV are slightly higher. We should pay special attention to older long-distance truckers and constantly implement targeted comprehensive intervention measures so as to cut off the transmission through sexual route.
2017, Vol. 24 
