Fisher Folk Research Articles

Evaluation and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in some fish species in south-south Nigeria

This study reports the presence, distribution pattern, concentration levels and health risk assessment of organochlorine pesticide residues in fresh and cured fish species in South-South Nigeria. The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in fresh and cured fish were analysed with Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrophotometry (GC-MS) after Soxhlet extraction of the fish species. The study revealed that no organochlorine pesticide was present in fresh fish. However, cured fish species from all the markets sampled had at least two organochlorine pesticide residues which ranged from endosulfan (0.252±0.0022–748±0.004ug/g), lindane (0.386±0.010–0.443±0.009 ug/g), heptachlor-epoxide (0.328±0.005–3.162±0.010ug/g), ortho-para-dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane (o,p’-DDT) (0.021±0.001–0.180±0.030ug/g) and aldrin (0.140±0.040–2.770±0.020ug/g). These levels are far higher than the maximum residual limit and allowable daily intake values recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). There were no pesticide residues in fresh fish probably because the fisher folks in the study area may have abolished the use of obnoxious fishing methods due to the awareness of threats to the aquatic ecosystem. The high percentage occurrences, amounts and distribution of organochlorine pesticides in cured-fish from markets sampled could be as a result of the fact that these organochlorine pesticides were consistently used in the study area by fish processors, distributors and sellers. Human risk assessment of this study revealed a potential danger in the consumption of cured-fish containing the organochlorine pesticides seen in the study.

Quality changes in Indian mackerel ( Rastrelliger kanagurta ) during preservation with saturated brine fermentation technique

Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta is one of the most preferred fatty fish; however, economical preservation of fatty fishes is least documented in India. Saturated brine (23%) fermentation of Indian mackerel was studied for 120 days. Increment of lipid (2.25%), reduction of protein (5%) and salt content of 14%–15% with pH of around 6.0 was observed. Hardness fluctuated initially but stabilized at maturation. Fermentation imparted pleasant aroma to the product with minimal fat oxidation. Total plate count ranged from 3.80 to 5.44 log cfu/g. Coliforms and Escherichia coli were <1.8 MPN/g in final product. The product was stable at ambient condition under 95% vacuum in retortable pouch throughout the storage period (30 days). Botulinum toxin was examined and found absent in the analyzed samples. Sensory score indicated high acceptance of the product. Thus, the study illustrated that saturated brine fermentation preserves fatty fish adequately, producing safe and healthy fermented fish product with enhanced shelflife. Practical applications Indian mackerel being a fatty fish is prone to quick oxidation and spoilage; hence, a cost-effective preservation technique is required. Saturated brine fermented Indian mackerel has benefits of enhanced taste and aroma with minimal oxidation of the product. This preservation technique induces the product to remain stable at ambient condition with added shelflife owing to reduced pH and water activity. The preservation process of saturated brine fermentation acts as a value addition to Indian mackerel as it develops the product with similar attributes of lona ilish, a popular salt-fermented fish product in North-East India. This product can be economically adopted by fisher folks, self-help groups, and several other communities. This product can help to improve food and nutritional security in rural areas.

Climate Change and Fisheries: Perspectives from Small-Scale Fishing Community in Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria

The present study focused on impact of climate change on livelihood of Ganyingbo fishing community in Badagry, from June to September, 2020. Data were collected through administration of 58 structured questionnaires to artisanal fishermen while test of significance of research hypotheses was conducted using chi-square and t-test at 95% confidence interval. The results showed that the fisher folks composed of 83% male and 17% female. The most common age group among fishermen was 30-39 years (27.58%) and 57% do not have other job apart from fishing. Majority (37.93%) of the fishermen did not attain beyond secondary school education while only 3.45% had tertiary education. Calculated coefficient of marketing efficiency indicated that 54.8% and 72.26% of their sales revenue were taken up by costs before and after the effect of climate change respectively. Total expenditure of fishermen increased by 24.9% while income decreased by 5.26%. The t-test analysis indicated significant (p&lt;0.05) difference between the total cost associated with fishing in Ganyingbo before (N17850.0± 2015.22) and after (N22300.0 ± 6297.40) effect of the climate change. Fishermen (87.93%) believed that adopting coping strategies to mitigate the climate change is germane for artisanal fisheries systems. A significant (p&lt;0.05) difference was observed (X2 = 30.56: 9.49) between expected and observed perspective of fishermen based on viability of artisanal fisheries in Ganyingbo community. As noted in this study, fishing business in Ganyingbo is still viable however more effective mitigation measures are required to ensure its sustainability.

Interface between biomedical and traditional systems of treatment and care among HIV positive fisher folk in two fishing communities on Lake Victoria, Uganda.

Fisherfolk have been identified as a key population in the HIV response in Uganda due to high HIV prevalence and low engagement in HIV services. While studies have examined lifestyles and risk, much remains to be understood about help and health seeking experiences, including the combined use of biomedical and traditional health care. To examine the use of biomedical and traditional health care in two fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda. Exploratory, in-depth qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 42 HIV positive fisherfolk. Prior to HIV diagnosis, participants who described becoming ill sought different forms of help including biomedical treatment prescribed by health workers or self-prescribed; biomedical and herbal medicines together; herbal medicines only; or no form of treatment. Following HIV diagnosis, the majority of participants used ART exclusively, while a smaller number used both ART and traditional care strategies, or reported times when they used alternative therapies instead of ART. Prior to HIV diagnosis, fisherfolk's health care seeking practices inhibited engagement with HIV testing and access to biomedical HIV treatment and care. After HIV diagnosis, most resorted only to using ART. Study findings provide insight into how fisherfolk's use of biomedical and traditional care prior to diagnosis influences subsequent engagement with HIV treatment. Efforts are needed to reach fisherfolk through everyday health seeking networks to ensure HIV is diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Contribution of Women in Fisheries and Fishery Related Activities in Ponnalai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Women’s involvement in fisheries seems to be largely invisible and unacknowledged in Jaffna Peninsula. Thus, the present study was conducted in Ponnalai village to determine the active participation of women in fisheries, analyse their socio-economic status and suggest appropriate measures to improve their livelihood. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and through interviews from October to December 2018. Randomly selected, 25 women fisher folks were interviewed and collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. In the study area, women were primarily involved in hand picking of shrimps and crabs. Results revealed that 100 % of responders were Hindus and were from traditional fishing families. It was found that 72 % of women were above 50 years in age. The educational status of fishers showed that 80% were illiterate. The fisheries sector is characterized with the participation of married and widowed women (64 %). Number of children per women fisher folk was 7 - 9 (52 %). The average monthly fish production varied between 130 kg to 312 kg (60 %) and monthly income varied from Rs.7, 800 to Rs.13, 000. It was apparent that the socio-economic status of women fishers in the study area was poor. Lack of government support, poor literacy rate and low income were the major identified constraints faced by the women fisher folk of this village. Therefore, support from governmental or non-governmental organizations by providing subsidies, loans and technological assistance are essential to improve the livelihood and their socio-economic status.

Correlation and Regression Analysis of Age and Body Mass Index (BMI) Among Nsidung Fisher Folks, Calabar South, Cross River State, Nigeria: The Counselor Sensitization Strategy

The research focuses on the relationship between age, blood pressure and body mass index among fisher folks at Nsidung, Calabar south, cross River state Nigeria. The study evaluated one hundred and twenty fisher folks separated into six groups based on age. Appropriate equipment and tools were used to measure the systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rates. The body mass index was determined using weight over square of height (kg/m2). The data generated was analyzed using Pearson’s’ correlation coefficient and linear regreesion analysis. The results showed that the age of the Nsidung fisher folks correlates strongly, positively and significantly with their body mass index and systolic blood pressure and correlated negatively, weakly and non-significantly with diastolic blood pressure, mean body weights, height and pulse rate. The results also revealed that a body mass index is linearly dependent on the age of the fisher folks. The results of correlation analysis reveals that age correlated (r=0.719; p&lt;0.001) and (r=0.883; p&lt;0.001) significantly, positively and strongly with Body mass index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure respectively. The study revealed the line of best fit equation Y = 1.2329X + 23.937 with a significant regression coefficient R2 of 0.5182. The counselor’s intervention strategy will focus on the creation of awareness on the need for a regular and routine blood pressure check - up by all fisher folks at Nsidung. There is need to create awareness on the potential risk factors that predisposes the Nsidung fisher folks to increased blood pressure and pulse rates. The need for urgent guidance and counseling program for the Nsidung fisher folks on the dangers of drug abuse, smoking and poor dieting which is highly prevalent among them. The need for government safety nets intervention program for the aged among the Nsidung fisher folks to forestall increasing cardiac associated problem which is highly prevalence among the aged.

Motivational Factors to Join SHGs among the Fisher Folk Community of Kerala

Microfinance is a financial model specially designed for serving the poor. Microfinance programs provide tiny loans to poor people for self- employment projects. The conception of microfinance is as an income- producing tool rather than a consumption aid, thereby, it is an appropriate way of bringing social changes and transforming the society into a progressive one. Irregular income and social and economic backwardness are the main reason for the lack of sustainable development of fisherfolk. SHGs have played a crucial role in the intervention of microcredit given to the fisherfolk communities. Therefore, the researcher intended to study the motivational factors to join the SHGs among the fisherfolk community of Kerala. The study was experimental. The study found that members of the SHGs joined intending to obtain credit and meet their domestic expenses. Hence, they are not considering the objective of micro finance while utilizing the fund. They have used their micro-credit amount for meeting their expenses.

Three-tier cage aquaculture of Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) fish in the coastal brackishwaters - A techno-economic appraisal

Coastal brackishwater resources are highly fertile, rich in biodiversity and provide livelihood to traditional fisher families. However, due to natural disturbances and manmade interruptions, its fishery resources are depleted, hence, the livelihoods of dependent fishers are threatened. Aquaculture of fishes in customized cages and pens is a proficient approach for the efficient utilization of this productive natural resource. In this context, a three-tier cage farming system of Asian Seabass fish (Lates calcarifer) comprised of a nursery, pre-grow out and grow-out phases was developed and validated for its techno-economic viability with the participation of fisher folk. The technical indicators viz., fish survival, feed conversion, growth rate, productivity, economic parameters viz., Benefit Cost Ratio, Pay-back period and Internal Rate of Return and the livelihood security pointers have substantially shown that the system is technically feasible, economically viable, socially acceptable and hence, sustainable. Planned interventions in the form of appropriate policy guidelines to undertake community involved cage aquaculture in the coastal brackishwaters, a scheme for periodical flushing of bar mouths to ensure connectivity with the sea, institutional credit and insurance support are outlined to up-scale the adoption of cage farming technology in the brackishwaters across the coastal states of India. It is a win-win approach for the efficient utilization of coastal brackishwaters for augmenting fish production and enhancing the livelihood security of coastal fishers.

‘Bonbibi’ Could Wait Till Our Boss Decides: Looking at the Changing Face of the Indian Sundarbans

Internal migration constitutes a major source of steady flow of population in India, and reports published by the World Economic Forum (WEF),1 2017 state that interstate migration in the country has doubled during 2001–2011, compared to the previous decade.2 In developing countries, such migration is often considered to be an effective way for income diversification for the economically marginalised sections of the society, even though its effect on ‘human development’ is oft debated. This article would engage with this debate and bring out how migration from the Indian part of the Sundarbans to other parts of the country is not only changing the demography of the region but is also having a strong impact on the local perception and attachment towards the deltaic landscape. By bringing in ethnographic details from a village in the Indian Sundarbans, which was predominately inhabited by the fishing community earlier, this article would bring out how traditional occupations like fishing are slowly losing their popularity in the face of the lure of out-migration, as the very identity of the ‘indigenous’ Sundarban fisher folks—who were once rightfully considered to be the true conservator of the forests—is changing. From there, this article would engage with the broader debate of rethinking whether migration can be considered as a positive indicator of development in such ecologically fragile areas like the Sundarban deltas, which used to indeed have a distinct economic, social and cultural life of its own.

Gender participation in fisheries for sustainable livelihood in the coastal region of Ondo State, Nigeria

This study examined gender participation in fisheries and sustainable livelihood in the coastal areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents and the study area. Data were collected from 100 fisher folks from Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas (LGAs), using a well-structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Kruskal Wallis test (KWt) was used to determine the level of livelihood diversification among the fisher folks. The most prominent roles of men in the study area are fishing both offshore and inshore (66%), boat owners (61%), and gear preparation (56%). On the other hand, the participation of women in fisheries is mostly sorting of fish caught (81%), salting for processing (79%), washing of fish and fishing gears (69%), and smoking (66%). Women also dominate fish distribution and marketing activities which include transporting of fish from home to the market place, display and bargaining. The result of the Kruskal Wallis test (KWt) revealed that the main occupation of the different groups is fishing, where the married class was the most predominant group. For gender, fishing remains the most engaged main occupation with more male than female at 0.01 level of significance.&#x0D; Key words: Sustainable Livelihood, Fisheries and Gender

First approach to the characterization of the ecological succession on perforated trapezoidal multi-purpose reef modules: Building climate resilience

The study reports the colonization and ecological succession of epibenthic communities on perforated trapezoidal Artificial Reef (AR) modules deployed in Vaan Island of Gulf of Mannar, southeast India. These AR communities assist in building climate resilience among the coastal ecosystems, which have faced severe climate change impacts during the last decade. Based on wave dynamics modeling studies, 10,600 modules were deployed in two layers to protect the Island from beach erosion and to enhance biodiversity. Randomly selected modules were subject to continuous monitoring from 2015 to 2020 to understand the ecological succession of the epibenthic communities. Hard corals turned out to be the dominant epibenthic category with 76.01 no.module−1(SE ± 2.16) by 2020. A total of 37 coral species belonging to 16 genera were found inhabiting the modules at the end of five years. The other major epibenthic categories were molluscs, hydroids, sponges, ascidians, octocorals and echinoderms with a total density of 40.44 no.module−1(SE ± 1.41) by 2020. A couple of years after the deployment, when hard corals started to flourish on the AR modules, the density of other epibenthic categories began to decline. A comparison of the numbers of epibenthic organisms on the inner and outer layers of AR modules reveals that the inner layer has a larger epibenthic community. After five years, the AR modules have started to act as coral refugia and are expected to create reef ecosystem analogous to natural reefs. The modules also provide the much needed topographic complexity for the fish to move in. This planned deployment not only helped in reef recovery and enhancement of associated biodiversity in Gulf of Mannar, which is severely impacted by global climate change, but also would serve to enhance the climate resilience of the coral ecosystems by increasing the coral biomass and thereby restoring the ecological services, which help to sustain the livelihood of the dependent small-scale fisher folk.

Morphometric, Meristic and Conditional Factor Characterization of Redbelly Tilapia (Coptodon zillii) in Lake Komadugu, Yobe State, Nigeria

This research was carried out to study the morphological characteristics of Coptodon zillii from Lake Komadugu in Yobe State, Nigeria using morphometric measurements, meristic counts and length-weight relationship. A total of 60 specimens of Coptodon zillii were purchased from the fisher folks at landing site in Lake Komadugu, examined and analyzed for morphometric and meristic characterization. The results revealed that all the morphometric characters of C. zillii in Lake Komadugu varied whereas some meristic characters including mean number of rays on pectoral fin (8.00 ± 0.00), pelvic fin ray (5.00 ± 0.00), anal fin spine (3.00 ± 0.00), pelvic fin spine (1.00 ± 0.00) and number of lateral line (2.00 ± 0.00) were constant. A significant linear relationship was established and represented by the equation: W =0.008SL2.097 (r =0.6410 d.f. = 58) for male, W =0.001SL3.013 (r = 0.9600 d.f. = 58) for female. Mean condition factor which was not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) showed that male C. zillii had 1.80 ± 0.27, female (1.92± 0.26) and pooled sex (1.86 ± 0.25). Findings of this study implies that C. zillii from Lake Komadugu are in good health. In conclusion, these findings are very useful in stock assessment, population dynamics, sustainable management and conservative measures of C. zillii in Lake Komadugu.

Use of propensity score matching to create counterfactual group to assess potential HIV prevention interventions

The design of HIV prevention trials in the context of effective HIV preventive methods is a challenge. Alternate designs, including using non-randomised ‘observational control arms’ have been proposed. We used HIV simulated vaccine efficacy trials (SiVETs) to show pitfalls that may arise from using such observational controls and suggest how to conduct the analysis in the face of the pitfalls. Two SiVETs were nested within previously established observational cohorts of fisherfolk (FF) and female sex workers (FSW) in Uganda. SiVET participants received a licensed Hepatitis B vaccine in a schedule (0, 1 and 6 months) similar to that for a possible HIV vaccine efficacy trial. All participants received HIV counselling and testing every quarter for one year to assess HIV incidence rate ratio (IRR) between SiVET and non-SiVET (observational data). Propensity scores, conditional on baseline characteristics were calculated for SiVET participation and matched between SiVET and non-SiVET in the period before and during the SiVET study. We compared IRR before and after propensity score matching (PSM). In total, 3989 participants were enrolled into observational cohorts prior to SiVET, (1575 FF prior to Jul 2012 and 2414 FSW prior to Aug 2014). SiVET enrolled 572 participants (Jul 2012 to Apr 2014 in FF and Aug 2014 to Apr 2017 in FSW), with 953 non-SiVET participants observed in the SiVET concurrent period and 2928 from the pre-SiVET period (before Jul 2012 in FF or before Apr 2014 in FSW). Imbalances in baseline characteristics were observed between SiVET and non-SiVET participants in both periods before PSM. Similarly, HIV incidence was lower in SiVET than non-SiVET; SiVET-concurrent period, IRR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.31–0.68, p = 0.033 and pre-SiVET period, IRR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.43–1.29, p = 0.161. After PSM, participants baseline characteristics were comparable and there were minimal differences in HIV incidence between SiVET and non-SiVET participants. The process of screening for eligibility for efficacy trial selects participants with baseline characteristics different from the source population, confounding any observed differences in HIV incidence. Propensity score matching can be a useful tool to adjust the imbalance in the measured participants’ baseline characteristics creating a counterfactual group to estimate the effect of interventions on HIV incidence.

DETERMINANTS OF CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF ARTISANAL FISHERS IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Nigerians are high fish consumers as the per capita consumption is 14.9 kg per year and has the largest market for fish and fishery products in Africa. Artisanal fishers provide fish for large proportion of fish consumed by our teeming population. These set of fishers depend on crude gears and technology and small vessels in capturing multiple fish species. This study examined the determinants of the capacity building needs of artisanal fishers in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study used primary data. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was use to select the respondents. A total number of 292 respondents were selected for the study. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and Binary Logistic Regression. The results showed that more than half (71.6%) of the respondents had low knowledge level and majority (87.0%) of the respondents had high capacity building needs. The educational status (p&lt;0.10), years of experience in fishing activities (p&lt;0.10), contacts with extension services (p&lt;0.01) and craft type (p&lt;0.05) are the determinants factors of capacity building needs of the artisanal fishers. The study concluded that the majority of the fisher folks had low knowledge level on fishing practices. Majority of the fisher folks had high capacity building needs. The study therefore recommends the provision of training in the areas of high capacity building needs and that there should be consideration of factors influencing the capacity building needs of artisanal fisher folks during the planning and implementation of any training programme on artisanal fisheries.

Comparison of trace element concentrations in freshwater fish and marine fish consumed in Shandong Province, China, and their potential risks to human health

This study provides the primary data of ten trace element concentrations from four highly consumed cultured freshwater fish species in comparison to six marine fish collected from markets of the Shandong province, China, and evaluates the potential human health risks from consuming these fish. A significant difference in five metal concentrations (Cr, As, Se, Cd, Pb) was found between freshwater and marine fish. With the exception of chromium, the other four element contents in marine fish were higher than those in freshwater fish. According to estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and the permissible safety limits prescribed by various agencies, consumption of the examined fish species is safe for human health. However, chromium in freshwater fish and arsenic in marine fish should still be a cause for concern in terms of human health, especially for fisher folk communities and populations that frequently consume fish.

Impact of Bank Loan on Artisanal Fishing in Rivers State: A Case of Bank of Agriculture (BOA)

The study focused on the impact of Bank loan on Artisanal Fishing in Rivers State: A case of Bank of Agriculture (BOA). The objectives of the study were to identify the Socio-economic characteristics of the fishers. Identify areas of impact from the Bank Loan and possible challenges. Purposive and random sampling were adopted to select (60) BOA loan beneficiaries and 40 non beneficiaries. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used in analysis such as frequencies and Likert-scale, etc. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents shows that average age of loan beneficiaries was 47.3, non-beneficiaries was 42.9, About 86.6% of beneficiaries and 70% non-beneficiaries were male, 13.33 and 30% respectively, were female. Average family size was 5.6 and 5 for both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. About 66.67% and 77.5% of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries has at least secondary school education. The result showed that, there was significant improvement in the income of the beneficiaries of BOA Loan, most of them invested the loan to expand their operations, purchase fishing gears which resulted in increased output/catch. Some of the challenges include: Distance to the city, documentation process and mandatory cash deposit as well as volume and timing of the loan, insecurity of water ways, Obnoxious activities of oil companies/ pollution of water and lack of equipment etc. The study recommended that more attention should be focused on granting of loans to rural and artisanal fisher folks, the Bank should open rural branches and cash offices. Government and Non-Governmental agencies should be encouraged to make fund available, adequate policing of the water ways to check the activities of sea pirates. Multinational oil companies should adopt international best practices to minimize pollution of our water and marine environment.

Exploring the Perceptual and Contextual Factors Affecting Retirement Planning among Fisher Folks in the Elmina and Cape Coast Fishing Communities: A Qualitative Approac

The purpose of this qualitative study was to ascertain retirement planning by fisher folks in Elmina and Cape Coast fishing communities in the Central Region of Ghana. Using qualitative research designed from a phenomenological view, 35 fisher folks were conveniently sampled for the study. These fisher folks comprised fishermen, canoe owners and fishmongers. The semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from the participants and their respon- ses were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. It was revealed from the study that most of the fisher folks regarded retirement as a period in which a person is not able to work and this is dependent on the person’s level of strength, age or health condition. It also came to light that retirement planning among fisher folks is affected by factors such as the lack of labour unions or associations, seasonal conditions, high cost of operation, illegal fishing activities, extravagant spending among fishermen, lack of financial support and the mechanism of demand and supply. It is therefore recommended that an extensive public education programme on retirement planning should be implemen- ted for fisher folks along with the fishing communities. The government, in consultation with the security agencies such as the police and the marine patrol team should come up with stringent measures to deal with individuals that engage in illegal fishing activities that pose a great threat to the livelihood of the indigenous fishermen and the fishing business in Ghana.

Fishing and Rural Livelihood: A Philippine Context

The Municipality of Lake Sebu in Mindanao, Philippines offers various opportunities for income-generating fishing activities with its abundant surface water bodies. Lake Sebu is particularly known for good quality tilapia, farmed in fish cages. This study employed primary data collection methods, namely key informant interview, focus group discussion and a comprehensive livelihood household survey to assess the conditions and problems constraining fishing households in Lake Sebu. The study found that fishing-related benefits were mainly derived from aquaculture. Capture fisheries are essentially very small-scale, low gear open fishing done by local fisher folk that generates only subsistence income. Local residents are mostly engaged in retail fish trading that likewise generate only subsistence income. Survey results also revealed large variations in the scale of aquaculture operations. Fish cage owners, who are not originally from Lake Sebu or have residences outside Lake Sebu, are usually the large-scale fish farm operators, while the locals are only engaged in small-scale aquaculture due to limited financial sources. The study found that on the average, fishing-dependent households earned an annual income of PHP 132,800 (US&#36 2619), which was 15% lower than the average for all household respondents, and that a substantial 63% of fishing-dependent households live below the poverty line. It appears, therefore, that the rich water resources in the municipality have not contributed substantially to poverty alleviation. These findings point to the need for government assistance such as aquaculture financing programs and the formation of fish farming cooperatives to enable locals to engage in large-scale fish farming and reap the benefits of economies of scale.

Knowledge and barriers of PrEP delivery among diverse groups of potential PrEP users in Central Uganda.

BackgroundScale-up of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention in Uganda began with serodiscordant couples (SDC) and has expanded to other most at-risk populations (MARPs). We explored knowledge, acceptability, barriers and facilitators of PrEP use among potential PrEP users in four MARPs (SDC; men who have sex with men [MSM]; female sex workers [FSW], and fisher folk).MethodsWe administered quantitative surveys to potential PrEP users in multiple settings in Central Uganda at baseline and approximately 9 months after healthcare worker (HCW) training on PrEP.ResultsThe survey was completed by 250 potential PrEP users at baseline and 125 after HCW training; 55 completed both surveys. For these 250 participants, mean age was 28.5 years (SD 6.9), 47% were male and 6% were transgender women, with approximately even distribution across MARPs and recruitment locations (urban, peri-urban, and rural). Most (65%) had not heard about PrEP. After HCW training, 24% of those sampled were aware of PrEP, and the proportion of those who accurately described PrEP as “antiretrovirals to be used before HIV exposure” increased from 54% in the baseline survey to 74% in the second survey (p<0.001). The proportion of participants who reported HCW as a source of PrEP information increased after training (59% vs 91%, p<0.001). In both surveys, nearly all participants indicated they were willing to take PrEP if offered. The most common anticipated barriers to PrEP were stigma, transportation, accessibility, busy schedules, and forgetfulness. Closeness to home was a common facilitator for all participant categories.ConclusionsInitial awareness of PrEP was low, but PrEP knowledge and interest increased among diverse MARPs after HCW training. Demand creation and HCW training will be critical for increasing PrEP awareness among key populations, with support to overcome barriers to PrEP use. These findings should encourage the acceleration of PrEP rollout in Uganda.

Efficacy of HIV interventions in African fishing communities: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis

ObjectivesThis systematic review aims to qualitatively synthesize existing evidence on the efficacy of HIV interventions in African fishing communities. MethodsFive databases (NCBI PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, The Cochrane Library, and CABI Global Health Database) were searched in March 2019 for eligible studies. All peer-reviewed papers with a defined HIV intervention explicitly mentioning African fishing communities were included. Outcomes included any measure of the efficacy of HIV interventions. ResultsOf 22,289 search results, data was extracted from 25 eligible studies that passed critical appraisal; seven involved HIV prevention, six HIV testing and counseling, three treatment, and nine combinations of more than one intervention. Findings include a high coverage of safe male circumcision (SMC) but low condom use among fisher folk, and a preference for PrEP over other HIV prevention services. Uptake of HIV testing and ART coverage are below levels required to reach UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, and there is a high demand for ART and HIV self-testing kits. ConclusionsGreater provision of services to combat HIV, specifically amongst fishing communities, is required; there is limited information on retaining fisher folk in care and achieving an undetectable viral load. Interventions tailored to individual fishing populations, offered in parallel to education or counseling services are likely to be most effective. Use of innovations, including mobile health and medical drones, could assist these hard-to-reach populations. Our findings will inform future HIV service provision in fishing communities.