Condom use and risk of HIV infection among fishers in Elmina fishing community in Ghana

This paper is a follow-up to a cross-sectional study which employed a mix-method design for data collection and analysis to investigate the relationship between mobility and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risks amongst 385 fishers in Elminafishing community in Ghana. It discusses condom use among fishers andthe perceived barriers in using it and concludes with a discussion on the implications for risks of HIV infection as a result of the reported low condom use among them. The reported low usage suggests the engagement in unprotected sex of the fishers and the likelyhoodtheir exposure to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV in the study area. The paper thus recommends on-going and future HIV education programs by the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipality Assembly and civil society organisations in Elmina to explore ways of including the supply of free condoms to fishers and at the various fishing destination points along the coast of Elmina. Equally, this outreach or mobile HIV service outlets should emphasize the consistent use of condom within Elmina and the surrounding fishing communities.