title: Fishermen as a Suitable Population for HIV Intervention Trials.
abstract: Background. Suitable populations to sustain continued evaluation of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention interventions are required. We sought to determine whether fishermen are a suitable population for HIV intervention trials. Methods. In a cross-sectional descriptive survey, we selected 250 fishermen from proportional to size sampled boats. We collected socioeconomic and behavioral information, and specimens for HIV, herpes simplex virus (HSV-2), syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and human papillomavirus (HPV) tests from consenting participants. Results. One third of the fishermen had concurrent sexual partnerships and two thirds were involved in transactional sex. About 70% were involved in extramarital sex with only one quarter using condoms in their three most recent sexual encounters. HIV prevalence was 26% and HSV-2 and HPV was 57%. Over 98% were willing to participate in a future HIV prevention clinical trial. Conclusion. Fishermen are a high-risk group for HIV/STI infections that may be suitable for HIV prevention trials. A cohort study would be useful to measure the incidence of HIV/STIs to ultimately determine the feasibility of enrolling this population in an HIV/STI prevention clinical trial.
authors.affiliation: Research Care and Treatment Program, Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Lumumba Health Center, P.O. Box 614, 40100, Kisumu, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Zachary A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Kwena
authors.forename: Craig R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Norton M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Sang
authors.forename: Musa O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ng'ayo
authors.forename: Jeremiah H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ochieng
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bukusi