HIV and AIDS: factors sustaining risky sexual behaviour among female fish dealers in fish landing beaches in Kisumu county, Kenya
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Date
2014-10-13
Authors
Omolo, Elizabeth Auma
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
HIV and AIDS remain a major global public health challenge and is prevalent mainly in
sexually active people in the society. Approximately-33 million people were estimated to
have been infected with HIV world wide by the end of the year 2011. An overwhelming
majority of these cases (95%) are concentrated in the developing countries; with a
substantial proportion of over 60% in Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for over 60%
of all HIV cases. Around the world, a variety of cultural practices, social institutions,
norms and values increase women's risks to contracting HIV infection. In most societies,
the status and interest of women are considered subordinate to that of their male
counterparts. Thus, they are often powerless to protect themselves from unwanted sexual
advances, hence endure sexual coercion and abuse. Today, HIV infection spread fastest
in conditions of poverty, powerlessness and lack of information. Among the categories of
women most vulnerable are fish vendors in the Lake Victoria beaches, who mainly have
to depend on male boat owners for•the supply of fish for their daily sale. It is this concern
that prompted this study. The objective of the study was to identify factors that sustain
risky sexual behaviour among female fish dealers in fish landing beaches in Kisumu
District that could lead to HIV infection. The study was conducted in four fish landing
beaches in Kisumu County. The research design was a survey. The target population was
601 female fish dealers and 152 fishermen in selected fish landing beaches. The study
sample consisted of a third of the population which consisted of 200 female fish dealers
and 52 fishermen, The instruments of data collection were structured interview for female
fish dealers and fishermen/boat owner respectively and observation guide. Both
qualitative and quantitative techniques of data analysis were use guided by research
objectives. The study confirmed that the female fish dealers seek support and security
from men by trading in sex. Female fish dealers who come from poor and unstable family
environments are likely to be lured into unprotected sexual intercourse to sustain a
regular supply of fish from the respective fishermen at the fish landing beaches. The
study concluded that knowledge of HIV and AIDS did not result in behaviour change
among the female fish dealers as a number of them still believed in having premarital sex,
polygamous marriages and extramarital sex. The number of those who believe in having
sex without condom was still high and that socio-cultural and economic factor remain a
threat to increasing risky sexual behaviour that may predispose female fish dealers to
HIV infection. Among the recommendations were; Campaigns on awareness of HIV and
AIDS should be scaled up and there be provisions of female condoms which should be
accompanied with education on the correct and consistent use, as well as civic education
on life skills on how to avoid indulging in risky sexual behaviour. Further the Ministry of
Culture and Social Services should design policies and modalities of advising the female
fish dealers against believing in their culture even when they are repugnant and likely to
fuel HIV infection. Female fish dealers should be encouraged to form cooperative
societies and be empowered financially to put up refrigerating plants along the fish
landing beaches to enable them to buy fish from a central place to reduce the likelihood
of their being lured by the fishermen into risky sexual relationships.
Description
Department of Sociology, 86p. 2013