According to a 2009 study, truck drivers could benefit from STD testing, specifically hepatitis C testing. This may seem like a surprising and somewhat random assessment, but research indicated that truck drivers are at an increased risk for contracting hepatitis C and other STDs due to certain high-risk behaviors common among people in this industry.

Experts already know that long-haul truck drivers in many third world and developing nations have high STD rates, but little is known about truck drivers in the United States. To shed light on this issue and how diseases are spread, the New Mexico department of Health set up check points at various truck stops across the state between 2004 and 2006 where researchers surveyed long-haul US truck drivers on high-risk behaviors and performed STD and hepatitis C testing.

Among the 652 drivers surveyed, 8.5 percent had a positive hepatitis C test result. Most startling, a large number of those infected with hepatitis C were unaware they had the virus. The high rate of hepatitis C among truck drivers can be largely attributed to high risk behaviors among this population. 11 percent reported IV drug use at one point in their life and many reported high-risk sexual behaviors.

According to this study, truck drivers remain at risk for other STDs. Syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV had one positive result a piece, while researchers reported eight positive chlamydia tests. To control STDs among truck drivers, experts recommend increased hepatitis C testing and STD testing.

Source: New Mexico Department of Health, health.state.nm.us