Addressing communication gaps and needs in HIV prevention research within Lake Victoria fishing communities in Uganda. (360G-Wellcome-086174_Z_08_Z)

The Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) is a Government of Uganda public health research institution. Its mission is to carry out scientific research on communicable diseases of public health importance and to advise the government on strategies for control and prevention. UVRI is currently scaling up health research efforts among Lake Victoria fishing communities in the Wakiso and Masaka districts with an aim of involving these marginalized, vulnerable communities in ongoing HIV prevention research taking place in those districts. Fishing communities are a research-naive population with limited access to information on past or current HIV research efforts and findings. UVRI Will work with Uganda Fisheries Department and World Fish to conduct an assessment and a communications outreach project that will aim at identifying and addressing the communication gaps and needs in this population and to build support for research efforts amongst them. Communication issues to be addressed will include research ethics, informed consent, relevant HIV research findings thus far and information on any research efforts affecting or involving those communities. Identified print media and drama groups will be involved in the pilot communications outreach project.