Abstract
BackgroundCompared to the general population in Uganda, fishing communities suffer greater burden of HIV/AIDS. We determined the level of comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention and its associated factors among fishing communities of Lake Kyoga.MethodsWe conducted secondary analysis of data from the Lake Kyoga Behavioral Survey, a population-based sample survey on behavioral risk factors for HIV, syphilis, and schistosomiasis among adults in fishing communities of Lake Kyoga in 2013. We defined comprehensive knowledge as having correct knowledge on HIV prevention (consistent condom use, faithfulness, a healthy-looking person can have HIV, and HIV cannot be transmitted through food-sharing, witchcraft or handshake). We used logistic regression to determined potential factors associated with comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention and control for confounding.ResultsOf 1780 persons in the sample, 51% (911/1780) were females. The mean age was 32 (range: 15–97) years. Overall, 51% (899/1780) of persons had comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention. Level of comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention was similar between females (52%, 449/911) and males (49%, 450/869). Males (76%, 658/869) had lower knowledge on HIV transmission from mother to child during breast feeding compared to females (81%, 738/911) (p-value 0.019). Fishermen (46%,324/711) who lived > 5 km away from a health center compared to 54% (572/1066) who lived within 5 km radius were less likely to have comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention (PRRadj = 0.8; 95%CI = 0.5–0.92). Those who had ever tested for HIV were more likely to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV transmission (PRRadj = 1.1; 95% 1.03–1.70).ConclusionHalf of the population of Lake Kyoga fishing community had comprehensive knowledge of HIV prevention. Long distances from health facilities reduced the level of comprehensive knowledge on HIV transmission. HIV testing increased the level of comprehensive knowledge on HIV transmission. Ministry of health should ensure that HIV/AIDS information; education and communication and HIV counseling and testing activities are intensified in fishing communities of Lake Kyoga, with more emphasis on communities living in distances of more than 5 km away from the health facility.
Highlights
Compared to the general population in Uganda, fishing communities suffer greater burden of Human Immune Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
We found that 55%(299/541) respondents of age-group 20–29 were more likely to have comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention compared to 43% (115/265) of young respondents of less than 20 years (APRRR = 1.3; 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.13–1.19)
Sixty one percent (243/395) of respondents with at least secondary level education were two times more likely to have comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention compared to 30% (54/181) of those with no formal education (APRR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.2), while 46% of respondents(324/711) who lived > 5 km away from a health centre compared to 54% (572/1066) who lived within 5 km radius were less likely to have comprehensive knowledge on HIV prevention (APRR = 0.8; 95%CI = 0.5–0.92) (Table 3)
Summary
Compared to the general population in Uganda, fishing communities suffer greater burden of HIV/ AIDS. By end of 2016, 1.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. HIV prevalence among the fishing communities in Uganda is estimated to be three times that of the general population [4]. A study conducted in 2013 revealed 22% overall HIV prevalence in the fishing communities [4]. This high HIV prevalence among this community is attributed a number of factors including population movement, exchange of fish for sex, commercial sex, drug abuse, limited access to HIV prevention, testing services as well as poor perceptions and attitude towards HIV prevention programs among others [5]
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