HIV / AIDS among seamen: knowledge, attitudes, and practices: the case of Senegal

Introduction
The objective of this study is to evaluate the state of knowledge, attitudes and practices vis-à-vis HIV / AIDS in a vulnerable and at risk of HIV infection in Senegal: the sailors.

Methods
This is a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical conducted in May 2010 and on a sample of 400 sailors aged 20-65 years randomly selected medical consultants. The male population has responded to a questionnaire with items directly on the transmission mode, the understanding of the disease, the means of protection including condom use and stigma etc. Data were analyzed on Epi 2000, version 3.5.1.

Results
7.5% among the respondents know the modes of HIV transmission. Protection of condoms is known only by 56%. A proportion of 41.3% think that the mosquito transmits the disease, and 13.8% believe in transmission by sharing a meal with an infected person. On stigma, 48.3% do not accept infected person on their ship. Only 39.5% know their HIV status

Discussion
If the rate of prévence of HIV \ AIDS is still low in Senegal, it is nevertheless necessary to sustain the actions carried out with particular emphasis on the case of the Sailors. It is urgent to develop a real policy of support for this population through a program based on an appropriate strategy for this target.