Assessment of HIV/AIDS information provision to fishing communities around Lake Victoria : the case of Jinja and Kalangala fishing villages

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the HIV/AIDS information provision approaches/methods to fishing communities around Lake Victoria fishing villages. The study objectives were to: explore the existing approaches/methods of HIV/AIDS information provision to fishing communities; Assess the effectiveness of the existing HIV/AIDS information resources for fishing communities; identify the factors that have supported successful provision of HIV/AIDS information for fishing communities and the impediments that hindered effective and efficient provision of HIV/AIDS information; and make recommendations for future effective and efficient HIV/AIDS information provision. A pragmatic research methodology was used to conduct the study. The study approach was predominantly qualitative with a case study research design. 102 (one hundred and two) key informants from 5 (five) fishing villages were selected from the two districts of Jinja and Kalangala using purposive sampling method. Focus group discussion interviews and document analysis were the data collection methods used. The major study results reveal that there are general approaches/ methods for the provision of HIV/AIDS information to fishing communities. In addition, the existing HIV/AIDS information provision approaches are non-specific, ineffective, inappropriate and inadequate hence registering lesser behavioural change amongst fisherfolk. Concerted and proactive efforts from stakeholders and development partners such as policy makers, information providers, fishing community and NGOs is the best strategy to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in fishing communities through HIV/AIDS information provision.