A meta-analysis and systematic review of HIV risk behavior among fishermen

Abstract

With HIV prevalence levels up to 30%, fishermen as a group have a comparable prevalence to at-risk populations such as female sex workers (FSWs), truck drivers, military personnel, and prisoners. This study examines sexual risk behavior among fishermen, primarily in Africa and Asia. A meta-analysis embedded within a systematic review is utilized for this study. This study included 44 peer-reviewed articles and gray literature from 1992 to 2012. The study found that 42% of fishermen engaged in transactional sex, 48% of whom reported not using a condom with FSWs. Ninety percent of the fishermen reported having partners outside of their regular partner, but only 7% reported using a condom with their regular partner. Mobility, peer norms, and alcohol were found to be contextual risks for HIV infection. The findings have important implications for HIV prevention, targeting fishermen, and their sexual networks. Prevention strategies are needed to address HIV risk among this population.

Keywords:

• HIV
• fishermen
• risk
• mobility
• female sex worker

Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by both a Fulbright grant and a Weatherhead East Asian Institute Fellowship to Alex Smolak. Preliminary results were presented at the American Public Health Association 2011 conference. Author thanks Adeeba Kamarulzaman of the University of Malaya and Nabila El-Bassel of Columbia University for their mentorship, Warren Green of Columbia University for his editorial comments, Martin Choo of the Center for Excellence for Research in AIDS for his comments, and Prakash Gorroochurn of Columbia University for his statistical guidance.