HIV INFECTION AMONG FISHERMEN IN TERENGGANU

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HIV infection, risk factors and to measure the knowledge on AIDS among fishermen in Terengganu. In this survey fishermen registered with the Malaysian Fis/,e,y Development Board in Terengganu were studied. There were 600 eligible fishermen based on a list provided by the Malaysian Fishe1y Development Board (MFDB). Study sites were at 6 loading centres where health personnel awaited returning fishermen between 4.00pm -7.00 pm during a period of one mo11th. A total of542 registered fishermen were studied and this corresponded to a response rate of 90.3%. The majority of the fishermen were Malays (98.6%). Nine fishermen were tested positive to HIV antibody and this corresponds to a prevalence of 1.7%. Prevalence of HIV is higher among those with a positive history of drug use, single marital status and also among the unskilled workers who represented the socio-economically poorer group of fishermen. Almost 89% of respondents have heard about HIV/AIDS and among these, 93% received information through TV and radio. The mean knowledge score was significantly higher among fishermen admitting to drug taking, sex with prostitutes, and those who have had at least a secondary school education. The Prevalence of HIV infection among fishermen is higher than in the general population. Risk characterisation of HIV infection was statistically significant only among fishermen who gave positive history of drug used. Findings also suggest that poorer fishermen based on multiple indicators to socioeconomic status had a higher risk of being HIV positive as well as being less knowledgeable about AIDS. Health promotion strategies should focus on the use of TV and radio as an interactive medium to reach out to risk groups among fishermen as its popularity has been determined by this study.