Perceptions about mercury and lead in fish consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities Uganda
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cogent Food & Agriculture
Abstract
Fish consumption is a lifestyle in fishing communities influenced by individual and communal perceptions. However, information about individual perceptions about fish consumption in the vulnerable fishing community in a developing country is lacking. Without this study, the benefits of fish consumption in a vulnerable community may not be realized. Data collection was executed using key informant interviews and survey structured questionnaires. The key informants include fisheries, community
development, veterinary, community and environmental officers. The household heads were the respondents. The Qualitative data was organized and queried using QSR Nvivo 10 and quantitative data analyzed with SPSS version 22. The perceived
benefits of eating fish are health, income, nutrition and manhood. The perceived risks are Stigma and ill health. The factors increasing fish consumption are heedless of fish consumption benefits (p = 0.041) and household size i.e. number of adults more than seven (p = 0.020). Those decreasing are methods of preparation of fish i.e. boiling and frying (p = 0.019 and p = 0.010) and oblivious about organizations dealing with fishing activities (p = 0.029). An awareness campaign is needed to demystify the health
benefits and fallacies of fish consumption. The knowledge on individual perceptions associated with fish consumption will increase fish consumption but with fewer risks
Description
Keywords
Lake Albert, fishing communities, Uganda, mercury
Citation
Andrew, T., Francis, E., Charles, M., Naigaga, I., Jesca, N., Micheal, O., ... & Deborah, A. (2016). Perceptions about mercury and lead in fish consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities Uganda. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2(1), 1220344. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2016.1220344