‘Asking to use a condom with your wife is an admission of cheating while you were away on your fishing expedition’: HIV vulnerability and condom use among fishers at Elmina fishing community in Ghana

Abstract

Although evidence abounds about low condom use among fisherfolks, leading to high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in fishing communities, there is dearth of information about the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of fishers regarding the use of condom. This article is a follow-up to a cross-sectional study that used a mix-method design for data collection and analysis to examine the connection between mobility and the risk of contracting HIV among 385 fishers in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana. The Health Belief Model is utilized in the discussions to analyze attitudes and actions toward condom use among the fishers in Elmina. There is a general low perception of HIV susceptibility and severity resulting in the low condom usage among the fisherfolks according to the results. The paper urges civil society organizations in the study area to investigate ways to incorporate the provision of free condoms to fishers and at the numerous fishing destination sites along the coast of Elmina. The regular use of condoms in Elmina and the nearby fishing areas should also be emphasized through this outreach or mobile HIV service outlets.

Factors affecting condom use among fishers in Elmina fishing community in Ghana

“…Lungu and Hüsken 3 further elaborate that the inadequate accommodation facilities in the fishing communities facilitate fish traders cohabiting with single male fishers, which often leads to risky sexual engagements. According to Kyei-Gyamfi, 19 some female fish traders travel to the fish markets with very little trading capital and often do not want to use their income for accommodation if they must spend a night at a fishing destination outside their homes. The fish traders, often out of desperation to get a comfortable place to sleep as well as to keep their trading capital intact, offer sex in exchange for accommodation and to secure their trading capital.…”

“…Many of these women find it challenging to negotiate for protection during sex because they fear losing their fish supplies to other female fish traders who, if they refuse, may give in to the sexual demands of the male fishers. According to Kyei-Gyamfi, 19 women in most fishing villages depend on their male counterparts either for fish or other economic gains, which exposes them to these sexual exploitations.…”