...HIV/AIDS is a devastating disease that has killed thousands of people all over the world. It is one of the most widespread and devastating epidemics we are currently dealing with. Many factors about this virus contribute to making it spread faster, become deadlier, and leaves no one unaffected. HIV/AIDS reaches the young and the old, the rich and the poor, and those in developed and undeveloped countries. Education about the virus and how it is approached to different people also affects how it is spread, several cultural factors come into play as to how effective it is in preventing future contraction of the virus. The cultural perceptions of the virus also affect how the virus is researched and how medicines are developed for it. Religion also plays a role in how the virus is spread and can have an impact on how those who are researching the disease research it. The spread of HIV/AIDS is affected by several factors the main ones being the approach of education taken, cultural perceptions of the disease, and religion. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized as a disease in 1981 (Kshatriya, 2005, pg. 69). Before 1981 it was found in the Caribbean and in African countries but it wasn’t until those first cases in the United States were diagnosed that the disease was officially recognized. HIV/AIDS exploded in America in the early 80’s, and initially they thought that AIDS was a “gay disease” and called it GRID standing for “gay related immune disease” (Lovell...
Words: 5319 - Pages: 22
...Cognitive Theory. That framework is currently the dominant version used in health behaviour and health promotion; however, it is still often referred to as Social Learning Theory. The impetus for this special issue on HIV came from a discussion a few years ago during which we established a shared interest in a revival of the sort of scholarly innovation that characterized the early years of the HIV epidemic. As far back as the early 1980s, social theorists, cultural, critics, artists and others created a vibrant body of work on HIV/AIDS. Working from various theoretical and disciplinary sites they steadfastly emphasized the ‘social’ for understanding the significance of AIDS and opened up new avenues for critiquing and re-imagining scientific, cultural and social responses to infectious disease. At its best, this work served also as an impetus for queer theory, various feminist critiques and a range of research under the rubric of science, medicine and technology studies. The contributions made by this early work and its effects on public discourse on HIV/AIDS were multiple. Among the more groundbreaking contributions worth underscoring here were analyses that destabilized the neutrality of scientific knowledge and practice, emphasizing the malleability and culture-bound nature of its disease definitions (Martin, 1994) as well as...
Words: 3619 - Pages: 15
...Diversity Concerns in Public Health Name: Institution: Date: Diversity Overview Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (2010) defines Diversity in relation to public health as the term that describes the virtual uniqueness of each person or people group. The uniqueness that exists among the diverse people groups includes their skills, experiences, culture, interests, values and their ambitions. Each of these groups is rich with enormous possibilities. One of the Public Health provider’s professional responsibility is to learn and understand the diversity and cultural differences that exists in there area of operation and beyond, in order to address the health needs of these groups effectively (Woodward, 2010). One of the key agendas of the public health sectors in any country is to provide health care interventions that make a positive difference to the people and in a way that respects and values diversity of those people (UK DoH, 2004). The government has a responsibility to ensure that the rights of the different people groups are protected in the law, so that all the citizens in the society, especially the vulnerable groups are protected from discrimination (Woodward, 2010). It is important for Public Health Professionals to recognize that it is expected for them to provide care for members of the society who are from diverse backgrounds. This paper provides a discussion on the diversity concerns of public health. In discussing this topic, the paper looks at different...
Words: 3267 - Pages: 14
...million people worldwide are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS (Perloff, 2001). AIDS is ranked in severity to The Black Death that devastated Europe in the 14th century, and everyday an estimated 16,000 people are infected with this terrible disease (Perloff, 2001). In terms of prevalence, The United State of America is home to 1.4 million (or 4% of the global population) people living with AIDS, versus Africa, which is home to 22.7 million (or 68% of the global population) living with AIDS. The total population estimated to be living with AIDS is 33 million people, and out of those 33 million, 2 million die each year (Aids and hiv, 2010). The only way to overcome this horrific disease is to spread awareness on how to protect yourself and prevent the transmission of spreading AIDS. The three sources I found pertaining to the AIDS epidemic in Africa were an article by Desmond Cohen, an official government website, aids.gov, and a print source titled Encyclopedia of medical anthropology: health and illness in the world's cultures. Desmond Cohen is a reliable source because he was the director of HIV and development program as well as now being the senior advisor on HIV and development. The website I used is an official government website and is managed by the U.S. department of health and human services. Lastly, the Encyclopedia of medical anthropology: health and illness in the world's cultures is new, published in 2004 as well as it being a published encyclopedia...
Words: 1092 - Pages: 5
...advanced to identify genital infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae. Conventional diagnosis techniques of gonococcus require culture on enriched and selective media or an observation of intracellular gram-negative diplococci in smears prepared from urethral or endocervical swabs. Despite the low viability of the N. gonorrhoeae in vitro, the current gold standard for diagnosis is culture on selective media, because culture gives us the opportunity to determine antimicrobial susceptibility testing and continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance profile is crucial for appropriate management of cases as resistance could vary in different geographical regions and over different time periods. 1.3 Gonorrhoea and coinfection with HIV At present, more than 2.1 million people in India are suffering from HIV infection (NACO, 2012-13). For both developing and developed countries, the major public health problem is sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which significantly increase the risk of HIV transmission. To properly control STIs it’s important to understand the pattern of STIs in different geographical regions. The significance of measures aimed at control of STDs has increased due to the occurrence of HIV infection. In spite of constant education and prevention efforts, sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhoea often coexist with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV-infected women suffering from gonococcal cervicitis shows increased plasma virus load (Anzala AO et al., 2002) and more...
Words: 996 - Pages: 4
...and prospects for Africa, there are a few conclusions that students can soundly arrive at. As far back as scholars have researched, a range of different cultures have come into contact with Africa including European and Islamic cultures. A lot of the interaction has been forced upon the continent, and has been accompanied by violence, physical and otherwise. However, it is clear that the different cultures of people who have passed through and continue to reside on the continent has had effects, both positive and negative, on various aspects of the continent. Ali Mazrui is a Kenyan academic and political writer whose book The Africans: A Triple Heritage, which is actually a reader supplement to a PBS telecourse, covers this topic. Ali Mazrui’s argument that “modern” African politics, culture, and societies are a product of an Islamic, European, and indigenous African triple heritage is an accurate portrayal of the continent which African people should derive strength from, focusing on the positive aspects of each, in order to reach the transcontinental stability Africa envisions for herself. Chapter four “African Politics” of Understanding Contemporary Africa written by Donald L. Gordon is a valuable source that speaks to the politics of contemporary Africa and how they have been heavily influence by European culture. One of the most basic pieces of evidence of European influence on African politics is the countries contained within the continent which were drawn up by...
Words: 1765 - Pages: 8
...Epidemiology Paper Ericka Williams NUR/408 October 5, 2015 Willadene Walker-Schmucker Epidemiology Paper According to A Dictionary of Epidemiology (2014), Epidemiology is the science that studies the causes, patterns and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. Epidemiology is an evidence-based practice that identifies risk factors and targets preventative healthcare. Epidemiology is a quantitative science built on the working knowledge of probability, statistics, and sound research. Epidemiology research looks at the population to see how many people are infected by the disease and study the disease over time to see if there is a change and what affects the disease have on our population. It is a tool used to promote and protect the public’s health. Steps and Methods of Epidemiology The steps and methods of epidemiology are routinely collecting data, epidemiologic data, and collecting data for other purposes these methods study health-related events. Routinely collected data can vary depending on time and region, this is data collected in a general population, such as births, deaths, and infectious diseases, (Stanhope & Lancaster 2012). Epidemiologic data uses surveys in specific populations to answer questions of concern and interest (Stanhope & Lancaster 2012). Data collected for other purposes is for research or investigative purposes within a region or area of interest (Stanhope & Lancaster 2012). Epidemiological triangle The...
Words: 1958 - Pages: 8
...diseases in America today. In 1993, one communicable disease became more prevalent in today’s culture. The outbreak of the human immunodeficiency virus infection/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has impacted many lives. Although today, the death rates are not as high, it has taken all branches of the government to act together to manage the disease. Human immunodeficiency virus infection / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The illness interferes with the immune system, making people with AIDS much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not affect people with working immune systems. This susceptibility gets worse as the disease continues. There have been many efforts taken by all branches of government to control the number of HIV/AIDS cases in America. One of the main organizations that have leaded the efforts is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a part of its overall public health mission, CDC provides leadership in helping control the HIV/AIDS epidemic by working with community, state, national, and international partners in surveillance, research, and prevention and evaluation activities. These activities are critically important because CDC estimates that about 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV, and that 21%...
Words: 996 - Pages: 4
...and Challenges Public Health on HIV PreExposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Issue. Brief introduction of PrEp PrEP is a short name of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis or giving the anti-virus medicine to those who has yet infect by HIV Virus, to prevent and protect the body in virus pre-exposure status. PrEP can be given by pills or in gel through anus or vagina. PrEP were originally from the concept of pathogenesis post exposure for instant after been touch the virus, the semen ware actually stay where it had been touch but yet spared to the whole body for 1-3 days. Found that PrEP can be block the spreading process but the problem is that usually the patient are come to the doctor and get the pills too late. It is because the high risk for the patient. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has approved the medicine called Tenofavir (TFD) 300 MG. and Emtricitabine (FTC) 200 MG. since year of 2012. By taking the pill once a day and everyday either with or without any sexual intercourse. The effective of PrEP are 44-73% among men who have sex with men cases and 62-75 % in straight couple. Somehow this depends on how regularly of taking pills. How safe and the side effect of PrEP are not really big issue such as getting vomit or loss weight at the beginning of taking the pills but in a long term are so far haven’t found any major side effect issue or less than 5% making problem with kidney. The challenges of pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV prevention PrEP are mostly recommended...
Words: 2116 - Pages: 9
...people has AIDS. Some 17 million people in Africa have died representing almost 80% of AIDS deaths world wide. This is the equivalent of the combined populations of New York City and Los Angeles (www.Time/2001/aidsafrica). There is a conspiracy of silence fueling the spread of HIV in South Africa. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, and has one of the fastest growing infection rates AIDS is now South Africa's leading cause of death. Last year it accounted for 40% of all deaths between the ages of 15 and 49 (US.news2.yimg.com). By the year 2010, HIV prevalence in adults is projected to reach 25% of the total population. South Africa is projected to have the highest AIDS death rate until 2015. At that point, the population will have decreased to the point that the death rate will no longer be as high as in other areas. South Africa has a population close to 40 million people - an estimated 4.2 million (10.5%) are infected with HIV. Of these, half are women ages 15-49. Over 40% of pregnant women are HIV-positive. The impact of AIDS in South Africa is overwhelming. The disease has orphaned 370,952 children, 95,000 children have been infected with AIDS and the adult prevalence rate of HIV is 20%. While there are limits in extrapolating the general population, it...
Words: 3230 - Pages: 13
...Parental Efforts to Influence Sexual Behavior of Young Haitian Women: Implications for Addressing the Risk of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) C Castor Citation C Castor. Parental Efforts to Influence Sexual Behavior of Young Haitian Women: Implications for Addressing the Risk of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The Internet Journal of World Health and Societal Politics. 2014 Volume 9 Number 1. Abstract Background: In 2010, HIV/AIDS was ranked as the leading cause of disease burden in 21 countries including Haiti. Addressing the issues of HIV is complex and associated with the dynamic of personal relationships, which are further complicated by the issues of gender inequality in these relationships. Furthermore, in the Haitian culture, women often fail to have open discussions about sexuality and sexual health and especially the issue of forced sex. This is complicated by the issue of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDs, sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and/ or related health problems with their daughters. Parental involvement is thought to be an effective prevention strategy in behavior change. However, there is limited data regarding the level of parental contribution to sexual education and development of the young females in Haiti Objective: The study sought to determine: Haitian women’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS and STIs; the impact of parental influence for learning about sex, relationships and sexual health...
Words: 4142 - Pages: 17
...Witchcraft can be interpreted as the belief and practice of magic, it is a concept that has existed throughout recorded history and can be found in various cultures. Traditionally, witchcraft is associated with negative actions, from famine to disease and is often conflicting to the religion in which a person practices. In this essay, I am going to discuss the different forms in which witchcraft exists in the contemporary world and using various ethnographic examples such as, Jean Fontaine, where she discusses links between sexual abuse of minors and concepts of evil and witchcraft. I will also be looking at an article by anthropologists Isak Neihaus and Gunvor Jonsson on HIV/AIDs and how this virus can be linked to witchcraft. An interesting...
Words: 2398 - Pages: 10
...Culture and Disease Paper The Southern United States is known for a slow, laid back pace of life. It is known for Southern hospitality and charm. It is also known for its historical Civil War battles and dark roots in slavery. The South is quickly gaining a reputation for something few people are talking about; it has become the center of the AIDS epidemic in the United States. The United States Census Bureau defines the south as the District of Colombia and the 16 states south of the Mississippi River. These states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas (Census Bureau, 2012). The region accounts for only 37% of the United States population, however in 2009, 46% of all new AIDS cases were in the south (Reif, Whetten, & Wilson, 2012). Furthermore, in 2008 43% of people living with HIV were from the southern region (Reif et al, 2012). The south also has the highest rate of HIV related deaths and the highest level of HIV morbidity (Reif et al, 2012). To fully understand impact of these numbers one must understand what HIV and AIDS are, the modes of HIV transmission, possible treatments, the methods available to control the spread of HIV, the factors that make this population vulnerable to the condition, what role social and cultural influences play in the disease, how these factors impact treatment, and what health and wellness strategies...
Words: 1688 - Pages: 7
...its citizens. The government has proposed equalization between genders. This will be a challenge since the majority of citizens are Tswana and their culture is to have women be subordinate. This is in relationship to job, inheritance, sexual behavior, abortions, and sexual harassment (Mookodi, Ntshebe, & Taylor, 2004). Culture Over 75% of the population is Tswana, their culture makes a clear division between public-political and the private-domestic world. Women are largely responsible for child care and taking care of the home (Mookodi et al., 2004). Women hold a significant proportion of the electorate; but they hold only 9 of the 40 parliamentary seats ("MDG," 2010). This is possibly why 46% of the households now are headed by women and women are presently choosing not to marry ("MDG," 2010). This is the world’s highest ratio of female headed households. At this time 33.1% of women live below the poverty level ("MDG," 2010, p. 34). Healthcare Botswana has the second largest rate in HIV within its borders and in its pregnant women at 38% ("MDG," 2010). In 2009 the estimate still stood at over 300,000 adults living with HIV, or twenty-five percent of its population over the age of fifteen years old. The high rate of HIV in pregnant women is caused by three central factors; the position of women in the culture, their lack of power in negotiating their sexual partners, cultural attitude toward fertility, and social migration patterns (Crowne, 2005). This also...
Words: 1281 - Pages: 6
...2008 and Barbra et al,2001). In many cultures in Asia, pre-marital sex is banned to prevent unwanted pregnancy in women while in India pre-marital sex is culturally wrong, but recently it was legalized by the Supreme Court due to the influence of the western culture (Perkins et al, 1998). Pre-marital sex is sex before marriage and it is generally found among the adolescent. It involves fornication, rape, defilement and incest. The causes behind it have been established including curiosity among the adolescent, proof of manhood, lust, pornography and its adverse effects, insanity and sex promiscuity as well as moral decadence among the student youths (Choe et al, 2004). Worldwide, rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the school students are soaring: one-third of the 340 million new STDs each year occur in people under 25 years of age (Fernández et al,2010). Each year, more than one in every 20 school youth contracts a curable STDs. More than half of all new HIV infections occur in people between the ages of 15 to 24 years. The sexual health needs for the student girls who are generally overlooked, Stigma and vulnerability affects particular groups of men as well as women. In Nigeria, over 35 million secondary school students are aged 10–19 years, making sexual abstinence among adolescents a critical preventative strategy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in a country where 3% of 15- to 19-year-olds are HIV positive. From an international perspective...
Words: 1893 - Pages: 8
