Perceptions about mercury and lead in fish consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities Uganda

Abstract

Fish consumption is a lifestyle in fishing communities influenced by individual and communal perceptions. However, information about individual perceptions about fish consumption in the vulnerable fishing community in a developing country is lacking. Without this study, the benefits of fish consumption in a vulnerable community may not be realized. Data collection was executed using key informant interviews and survey structured questionnaires. The key informants include fisheries, community development, veterinary, community and environmental officers. The household heads were the respondents. The Qualitative data was organized and queried using QSR Nvivo 10 and quantitative data analyzed with SPSS version 22. The perceived benefits of eating fish are health, income, nutrition and manhood. The perceived risks are Stigma and ill health. The factors increasing fish consumption are heedless of fish consumption benefits (p = 0.041) and household size i.e. number of adults more than seven (p = 0.020). Those decreasing are methods of preparation of fish i.e. boiling and frying (p = 0.019 and p = 0.010) and oblivious about organizations dealing with fishing activities (p = 0.029). An awareness campaign is needed to demystify the health benefits and fallacies of fish consumption. The knowledge on individual perceptions associated with fish consumption will increase fish consumption but with fewer risks.

Risk estimates for children and pregnant women exposed to mercury-contaminated Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus in Lake Albert Uganda

“…Data from several sources have shown that the common fish eaten (in the Lake Albert it is tilapia and Nile perch) and fish parts are associated with different levels of mercury and that the commonly analyzed parts are the muscle, liver, gills, kidney, brain and blood (Andrew, Francis, Charles, Naigaga, Jessica , et al, 2016 ; Mieiro, Pacheco, Pereira, & Duarte, 2009 ; Sary & Mohammadi, 2011 ).…”

“…One of the obstacles to reaping the benefits associated with fish consumption in the Lake Albert community was lack of information on the mercury levels in the predominant fish consumed in fishing communities (Gimou et al, 2013 ; Guevel, Sirot, Volatier, & Leblanc, 2008 ; Raissy & Ansari, 2014 ) . This gap was addressed by Andrew, Francis, Charles, Naigaga, Jessica, et al (2016) but the risk for the vulnerable groups i.e. children less than 17 years and pregnant women were not addressed.…”

Sociocultural factors associated with fish consumption in Lake Albert fishing community: Guidelines for lead and mercury

“…However, there was limited to no education in the community, an attribute of developing countries (Tamale et al, 2016b). This limited education reduces on the skill sets of the fishing community making them vulnerable to change (Burger & Gochfeld, 2008).…”