Effects of Behavioural Change Communication on Hivand Aids Related High Risk Behaviour among Fishermen in Homabay and Siaya Counties, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Akobi, William Kala
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Risky sexual behaviors such as sexual concurrency, sexual networks (fish for sex exchange) and unprotected sex, have been reported as the main cause of STIs / HIV infections among the fisher folks. Behavioral Change mechanisms such as condom use, and abstinence are some of the interventions used in the prevention of transfer of infections from one person to another. In Kenya, studies are lacking on the effect of targeted behavioral change communication on the prevalence of risky behaviors among the fisher folks. Risky sexual behaviors increase the risk of contracting STIs which results into acute as well as long-term complications including infertility, fetal wastage, ectopic pregnancy, cancer, premature death and neonatal/infant infections. This was a cross-sectional, longitudinal descriptive and quasi-experimental study involving 246 randomly selected fisher folks in Mbita Homabay County and Usenge in Siaya County. This study used quasi-experimental design to assess the awareness level on risky sexual behavior among the fisher folks in Mbita, Homabay County and Usenge, Siaya County; with the aim of assessing the awareness level of the risky behavior among the fishermen, determining the prevalence alcohol and drug abuse and high risk behavior among the fisher folks; determining the role of circumcision in high risk behavior among the fisher folks; identifying the high risk behaviors among the fisher folks in Mbita, Homabay county and Usenge, Siaya County; determining the role of sexual networks and sexual concurrency as a risky sexual behavior among the fisher folks in Mbita, Homa Bay County and Usenge Siaya and to determine the effect of the behavior change communication on the risky sexual behavior among the fisherfolks in Mbita, Homabay County and Usenge, Siaya county. This was a three-tier study involving baseline, intervention and end line (evaluation). Qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussion and Key informant interviews while, quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. Fishers exact test was used with a significant P>0.000. Various variables were influenced by behavior change communication strategies used. These includes use of condom every time of sexual encounter P>0.000, risk associated with non -condom use P>0.004, stopping using condom and fear of getting HIV/AIDS P>0.009, Sexual intercourse without condom use is dangerous P>0.000, whether remembering to use condom every time of sex is difficult P.0.000, whether they are keeping many sexual partners P.0.004, receiving fish /money in exchange for sex in last six months P.0.006. This study recommends further research on the emerging of the dynamic boda boda
riders within the fishing industry beaches and its public health effect on industry as far as
sexually transmitted infections and HIV spread is concerned and its public health
outcome This mode of transport is popular within the fishing c ommunity.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health in the School of Health Sciences of Kenyatta University
March, 2023
Keywords
Effects of Behavioural Change Communication, Hivand Aids Related High Risk Behaviour, Fishermen in Homabay and Siaya Counties, Kenya