Factors affecting condom use among fishers in Elmina fishing community in Ghana

BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that low condom usage among fishers contributes to high HIV prevalence in fishing communities, little is known about the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of fishers when it comes to the use of condoms. DESIGN AND METHODS: This article is a follow-up to a cross-sectional study that used a mix-method design for data collection and analysis to examine the connection between mobility and the risk of contracting HIV among 385 fishers in the Elmina fishing community of Ghana. The Health Belief Model is utilized in the discussions to analyze attitudes and actions toward condom use among the fishers in Elmina. RESULTS: Over 40% of respondents who said they had intercourse in the previous year did not use condoms. The results show that male fishers are more likely than female fishers to use condoms during sexual activity, and younger fishers are more likely to use condoms than older fishers. More condoms were used by educated fishers than by less educated or uneducated fishers. According to the study, female fishers use less condoms than male fishers since they are unable to convince their partners to use them when they refuse to. Additionally, the findings show that slightly more than one in 10 respondents did not use condoms because they believed their sexual partner to be attractive and unlikely to carry any sexual infection. CONCLUSION: There is a general low perception of HIV susceptibility and severity resulting in the low condom usage among the fisherfolks according to the results. The article urges civil society organizations in the study area to investigate ways to incorporate the provision of free condoms to fishers and at the numerous fishing destination sites along the coast of Elmina. The regular use of condoms in Elmina and the nearby fishing areas should also be emphasised through this outreach or mobile HIV service outlets.