Human immunodeficiency virus infection among migrant fishermen along the banks of the lower end of the River Niger, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: People migrate from place to place for diverse reasons chief among which is economic. Migrant fishermen like other migrant population lead high risk sexual lifestyle and are therefore, predisposed to Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of HIV among migrant fishermen along the banks of the lower end of the River Niger, South-South Nigeria.

Methods: Sequel to requisite ethical clearance, this descriptive cross sectional study was to determine the HIV status of all sampled 78 consenting eligible migrant fishermen using pretested questionnaires (which probed socio-demographics, knowledge and behaviour towards HIV) and voluntary counselling and testing for HIV. Collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet and analyzed using descriptive (i.e. tables) and analytical (Chi square) statistical tools.

Results: Of the sampled 78 all male respondents, 62 (79.5%) were married although only 22 (28.2%) of the marriages were monogamous. There was a 14.1% prevalence of HIV among the mainly young respondents i.e. 20 -29 years (29.5%) and 30-39 years (35.9%). These poorly educated fishermen (32.7% had secondary education) were of the view that HIV came from evil spirits (24.3%) and 96.1% of respondents had multiple sex partners. Culture (46.2%) and peer pressure (30.7%) were contributory just as only 21.8% of respondents used condom always.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of HIV in the study area with value more than four times the national average. This high prevalence was due to ignorance, poverty, cultural practices and long stay away from home. It is recommended that health education on prevention and control of HIV be extended to this area.

Keywords: HIV, Migrant fishermen, River bank