SOCIAL CONTEXT AND MODELING STRATEGIES FOR CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS INFECTIONS IN FISHING COMMUNITIES OF LAKE VICTORIA. A CASE OF LUKUBA ISLAND IN TANZANIA
Keywords:
Fishing communities, HIV AIDS control, Lukuba Island and Lake Victoria.Abstract
This paper describes social context of HIV/AIDS concurrently with efficacy of strategies geared at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS infection in fishing communities of Lukuba Island, Lake Victoria - Tanzania. Findings indicated that HIV and AIDS infections in the study area stood at 20% far higher than the national prevalence 5.7% (TACAIDS, 2010) among the active population. Interventions on HIV/AIDS knowledge and awareness creation seems to have worked to a greater extent whereas 93.5% of respondents indicated to be knowledgeable on several matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS infections; mode of transmission, susceptible behaviors, control and prevention strategies. Despite of multiple prevention strategies to exist in the study area, fishermen were found to still engage in risk sexual behaviors; reluctance in condom uses, men and women taking bath openly along the lake shore, excessive alcoholism, cases of rape, sharing partners and presence of women commercial sex workers. It was found that messages on board were not exhaustive to alert people on all drivers fueling HIV infections on the Island. Other drivers include; excessive alcoholism, raping, non condom use and multiple sexual partners were not addressed at all. This compelled to recommend that messages for behavioral changes on banners, posters and even cinema should be exhaustive enough to uncover all risk behaviors practiced by all cadre on the Island; there should be sufficient and qualified health practitioners to cater for both PLWHs,VCTs and other needed health services with regards to HIV/ AIDS prevention and control.
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