Search

HIV fatalism, or the belief that HIV acquisition and mortality is out of one's control, is thought to contribute to HIV risk in fishing populations in East Africa. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between fatalism and sexual risk behaviours (unprotected sex, engagement in transactional sex), beyond the influence of other known HIV risk factors (e.g. food insecurity, mobility), and identify demographic, psychosocial, and structural correlates of HIV fatalism. Ninety-one men and women living in fishing villages on two islands in Lake Victoria, Uganda completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire after testing HIV-positive during home or community-based HIV testing between May and July 2015. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test the association between HIV fatalism and transactional sex and multivariate linear regression was used to identify demographic, psychosocial, and structural correlates of HIV fatalism. HIV fatalism was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of transactional sex (AOR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.02–9.23, p = 0.04), and structural barriers to HIV care (e.g. distance to clinic) were significantly associated with HIV fatalism (β = 0.26, SE = 0.12, p = 0.04). Our findings highlight HIV fatalism as a contributor to transactional sex in Ugandan fishing communities, and as a product of broader social and contextual factors, suggesting the potential need for structural HIV interventions in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the intersection of masculinity and HIV care engagement among fishermen and other male fisherfolk on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Wakiso District, Uganda. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews with men on ART recruited from HIV treatment sites and used a thematic analysis approach. Since HIV diagnosis and ART initiation, men had adopted masculine identities more conducive to HIV care engagement. The masculine roles of worker and provider, husband and sexual partner and the appearance of physical strength were compromised by HIV, but restored by ART's positive effects on health. Peers also emerged as facilitators to HIV care, with men supporting each other to seek testing and treatment. However, structural and occupational barriers to HIV care associated with the masculine role of worker remained a barrier to care engagement. Findings suggest that emphasising the benefits of ART in bolstering men's ability to fulfil the roles important to them may improve the effectiveness of HIV testing and treatment messaging for men. Differentiated care models that address structural-level barriers to care, and community-level gender-transformative programming to help fishermen engage in HIV care, may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Uganda, alcohol consumption is associated with higher HIV prevalence. However, research is needed to better understand how different patterns of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems may drive this association. In this cross-sectional study, we examined how hazardous alcohol use and alcohol-related problems such as psychological, physical, and social harms are associated with HIV status in fishing communities in Uganda. 300 (132 male, 168 female) residents of fishing communities in Uganda (75 participants from each of the following occupational groups: fishmongers, alcohol sellers, commercial sex workers (CSW), and fishermen) completed an interviewer-assisted computerized interview. We captured information on sociodemographics and HIV testing history. Prior 12-month hazardous alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related problems were assessed with the AUDIT and AUDADIS. 19.7%, 58.0%, and 23.3% of the sample reported being HIV positive, being HIV negative from a test within the prior 12 months, and not knowing their HIV status respectively. 18.7% reported the co-occurrence of hazardous alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related problems. 7.7% reported either hazardous alcohol consumption patterns or alcohol-related problems. Compared to non-drinkers, those with co-occurring hazardous consumption and alcohol-related problems had greater odds of being HIV positive (adjOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.17-6.43) and of unknown HIV status (adjOR 3.35, 95% CI 1.52-7.42). Reporting only hazardous consumption levels, only alcohol-related problems, or low-risk drinking, did not increase the odds of being HIV positive or of unknown status. Among those not HIV positive, those with co-occurring hazardous consumption and alcohol-related problems had greater odds of never having had an HIV test (adjOR 3.78, 95% CI 1.63-8.68). The co-occurrence of hazardous alcohol use and alcohol related problems appears to be a prominent risk factor for HIV infection, not knowing one's HIV status, and never testing for HIV in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]