Status: Ongoing
Reducing HIV incidence amongst the fisher folk
The Gilead Sciences, Inc supported project aims at reducing HIV incidence amongst the fisher folk, female sex workers and PLHIV in the 2 central region districts of Mukono and Buikwe that have a high proportion of key populations. These areas were chosen based on equity in healthcare as these groups are disproportionately affected by HIV. We are targeting the youth who are known to be disproportionately affected by HIV, especially adolescent girls and young women. On the showers of Lake Victoria, Mukono has 2 fish landing sites; Katosi and Ssenyi while Buikwe has Kiyindi and Busaana fish landing sites.
According to MoH (2020), Ugandan Lake Victorian fisherfolk communities have an HIV prevalence estimated to be between 15–40 % —much higher than in the Ugandan general population, for whom HIV prevalence is estimated to be 7.3 %. Additionally, these communities have high numbers of Female Sex Workers.
The project will employ targeted interventions on behavioural change communication, capacity building, psychosocial support, linkages and integrated outreaches.
The project is being implemented on landing sites of Katosi, Ssenyi, Kiyindi and Busaana in Mukono and Ntenjeru, Ssi-Bukunja, Najja and Nyenga in Buikwe district. The targeted beneficiaries for this project include Fish folks, people living with HIV and commercial sex workers.
