Risky Sexual Practices and Associated Factors among Taxi and Three-Wheeled Vehicle Drivers in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundRisky sexual practices contribute significantly to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. Taxi and three-wheeled vehicle drivers may be particularly vulnerable due to occupational mobility and related lifestyle factors. However, evidence on this population in Ethiopia remains limited. MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among taxi and three-wheeled vehicle drivers in Arba Minch town, Ethiopia, from July 26 to August 26, 2025. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire through the Kobo Toolbox mobile application. Data were exported to SPSS version 27 for cleaning and analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with current risky sexual practices. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. ResultsA total of 640 drivers participated in the study (response rate: 97.6%). The prevalence of lifetime risky sexual practices was 46.9% (95% CI: 43.0%-50.8%), while the prevalence of current risky sexual practices was 37.2% (95% CI: 33.4%-41.1%). Factors independently associated with current risky sexual practices included living alone (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI: 2.03-4.45), not discussing sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.17-3.75), substance use (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.10-2.61), attending nightclubs (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.41-2.96), and exposure to pornographic materials (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.49-3.23). ConclusionA substantial proportion of taxi and three-wheeled vehicle drivers reported engaging in risky sexual practices, indicating a significant and overlooked public health concern within this occupational group. These practices were independently associated with modifiable behavioral and lifestyle factors, including substance use, nightlife attendance, and inadequate communication on sexual and reproductive health issues. The findings underscore the urgent need for innovative, multi-sectoral interventions that extend beyond conventional health service delivery. Integrating basic sexual and reproductive health education and risk-reduction messaging into driver licensing and refresher training programs may provide a feasible and scalable opportunity to reach this mobile and high-risk population. Such integration, in collaboration with transport authorities and public health sectors, has the potential to improve awareness, promote safer behaviors, and reduce vulnerability to risky sexual practices among drivers.