Abstract
IntroductionWomen in fishing communities in Uganda are more at risk and have higher rates of HIV infection. Socio-cultural gender norms, limited access to health information and services, economic disempowerment, sexual abuse and their biological susceptibility make women more at risk of infection. There is need to design interventions that cater for women's vulnerability. We explore factors affecting recruitment and retention of women from fishing communities in HIV prevention research.MethodsAn HIV incidence cohort screened 2074 volunteers (1057 men and 1017 women) aged 13-49 years from 5 fishing communities along Lake Victoria using demographic, medical history, risk behaviour assessment questionnaires.1000 HIV negative high risk volunteers were enrolled and followed every 6 months for 18 months. Factors associated with completion of study visits among women were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsWomen constituted 1,017(49%) of those screened, and 449(45%) of those enrolled with a median (IQR) age of 27 (22-33) years. Main reasons for non-enrolment were HIV infection (33.9%) and reported low risk behaviour (37.5%). A total of 382 (74%) women and 332 (69%) men completed all follow up visits. Older women (>24 yrs) and those unemployed, who had lived in the community for 5 years or more, were more likely to complete all study visits.ConclusionWomen had better retention rates than men at 18 months. Strategies for recruiting and retaining younger women and those who have stayed for less than 5 years need to be developed for improved retention of women in fishing communities in HIV prevention and research Programs.
Highlights
Women in fishing communities in Uganda are more at risk and have higher rates of HIV infection
We explore factors affecting recruitment and retention of women in Fishing communities (FCs) enrolled in a prospective HIV incidence cohort within selected Ugandan FCs along Lake Victoria
This analysis was performed to describe the characteristics of women who participated in the study, identify factors associated with completion of follow up visits and provide information on whether particular categories of women should be targeted to increase participation and retention in HIV prevention research among these socially unique communities
Summary
Women in fishing communities in Uganda are more at risk and have higher rates of HIV infection. We explore factors affecting recruitment and retention of women from fishing communities in HIV prevention research. Methods: An HIV incidence cohort screened 2074 volunteers (1057 men and 1017 women) aged 13-49 years from 5 fishing communities along Lake Victoria using demographic, medical history, risk behaviour assessment questionnaires.1000. Strategies for recruiting and retaining younger women and those who have stayed for less than 5 years need to be developed for improved retention of women in fishing communities in HIV prevention and research Programs. Women in fishing communities are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS with a prevalence of 33-34 % and incidence of 3.44.5/100PYAR, more than four times the national averages [2,3,4,5,6]. Condoms in fishing communities may not be accessible, and male partners may not be willing to use them as condom use may be perceived as lack of trust
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