Fishing for a Living but Catching HIV: AIDS and Changing Patterns of the Organization of Work in Fisheries in Uganda

Over the last decade evidence has emerged suggesting that fisherfolk, as an occupational group, are at greater risk to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than other groups in many countries, including Uganda. In this paper we argue that the organization of work in fisheries on Lake Victoria, both now and in the past, encourages patterns of sexual behavior among men and women involved in fishing, trading, and servicing the industry which over the last 20 years has promoted the spread of the HIV among those working in fisheries. We use a case study of a family, Kiwanuka's, to illustrate how patterns of behavior practiced in the past (by Kiwanuka) have much more disastrous consequences now (for his children) because of the existence of HIV. Kiwanuka was a fisherman on Lake Victoria during the 1960s. During that time fish were plentiful and he earned enough to purchase land and establish himself as a coffee farmer. Two of his sons are currently employed as daily laborers at the lake. They complain of poor fish catches and their inability to make money. One daughter, who is HIV-positive, is a dried fish trader. This family's experience illustrates the far-reaching effects of economic and health conditions generated by the fishing industry on distant rural areas and across generations. Rising HIV rates are severely affecting fishers and related occupations already hit by falling fish stocks. The findings show how the same patterns of sexual behavior and wealth generation practiced by the older generation in their youth now represent a deadly risk to their children, a population in urgent need of better access to treatment, prevention, and care.

在过去十年中，有证据表明，在包括乌干达在内的许多国家，渔民作为一个职业群体，感染人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）的风险高于其他群体。在本文中，我们认为，无论是现在还是过去，维多利亚湖渔业的工作组织形式，都助长了从事捕鱼、贸易以及为该行业提供服务的男女之间的性行为模式，而在过去20年中，这种模式促进了HIV在渔业从业者中的传播。我们以基瓦努卡（Kiwanuka）一家为例，说明由于HIV的存在，过去（基瓦努卡）的行为模式如今（对他的子女）造成了更灾难性的后果。20世纪60年代，基瓦努卡是维多利亚湖的一名渔民。当时鱼量丰富，他挣的钱足以购买土地，并成为一名咖啡种植者。他的两个儿子目前在湖边做日工。他们抱怨鱼获量少，无法挣钱。他的一个女儿是干鱼商贩，感染了HIV。这个家庭的经历说明了渔业所产生的经济和健康状况对偏远农村地区以及几代人的深远影响。HIV感染率的上升严重影响了已经受到鱼类资源减少打击的渔民及相关职业。研究结果表明，老一辈人年轻时的性行为和财富创造模式如今对他们的子女构成了致命风险，而这些子女迫切需要更好地获得治疗、预防和护理。