The Role of Living Conditions in Informal Settlements on Perceived Risk of HIV Infection Among Fishing Communities:

Abstract

The study examined the role of living conditions on perceived risks of HIV infections among the fishing communities at Namasale landing site, Amolatar District. A descriptive Cross-Sectional survey was used by a systematic sampling to collect samples of 99 respondents aged 18 years and above. Of these, 86 (86.9 %) respondents fully completed the study questionnaires. Data was collected using an interview structured questionnaire after seeking their consent and was entered using an EPI – Info for window version three, cleaned and exported to SPSS version 10 analyses. Statistically significant variables were ranked using Pearson’s Correlation of (P=0.05). Study findings indicated that the majority of fishing communities earns less than 2000 UGX a day with 53.5% of them living in semi permanent households. Although 68.6% of the respondents have knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their causes and mode of preventions but still the study revealed that the number of sexual partners in this community has greatly influenced the perceived risk of HIV infections among the fishing communities, with 62.8% of other factors contributing to HIV infection were reported among the married population within the fishing communities. Recommendations are made on broader directions such as specific policy interventions, interventions in HIV/AIDS preventions and controls, Community policing in crime preventions and sensitizations, needs for better improvements on housing and the living conditions among the fishing communities.