The Issue of Drug and HIV - Research Paper Example

? HIV The issue of drug and HIV has been contentious for a long time. In the recent study, cases of HIV have been on the increase on incarcerated females in a southern state. This paper is going to focus on factors that contribute to spread of the disease and the available theoretical applications to curb the menace. HIV Introduction It is believed that HIV prevalence rates are reported to be higher among female inmates than in male inmates. According to study, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is currently the leading cause of deaths in female inmates (Levinthal, 2008). In most cases, female inmates are poor with little or no education background and are members of ethnic minorities. These categories of women are aged between 25 to 34 years and are unmarried (Levinthal, 2008). One of the factors contributing to offenses is the influence of drugs and substance use. Incarcerated women are characterized by violence which begins at an early age. These women are typically faced with sexual abuse, and are more likely to slot in HIV risk behaviors (Levinthal, 2008). The situation is worsened by the fact that some studies have found out that these women engage in unprotected sexual intercourse. Nevertheless, they infrequently use condoms, and this is only with commercial partners. Application of Social Network Theory (SNT) In an effort to understand the AIDS epidemic, social network theory can be employed (Heckathorn, 1999). According to the theory, interpersonal relationship is embedded within social networks that constitute the relationship (Lindenberg et al., 1986). These networks involve family members, friends, and other people that we interact with. The extent of these networks on individuals has impact and consequences on different members of the network (Lindenberg et al., 1986). In reference to HIV transmission, the transmission is structured by the social relationships between the sex partners. Therefore, any effort to stop or prevent the spread of HIV calls for evaluation of social networks. This can be based on two concepts: one is that the social network can be viewed as a potential transmission vehicle, and the other one is that it can be viewed as a tool of transmitting prevention information and services (Lindenberg et al., 1986). However, any efforts to prevent the spread of female inmates who involve with drugs become a bit complex. For example, although some previous studies on how best to prevent the spread of HIV has proved that use of clean and unshared needles can effectively reduce the spread of HIV among drug users. This has been found not to be effective since the drug business is illegal to both the peddlers and users. They carry on their business in concealed ways. Therefore, it becomes difficult to offer safety and prevention information to drug them. According to the social network theory, social influence can be derived from two theoretical perspectives. First, it can be derived from individual sanction based control, which is normally directed to the actor by an agent like parents, AIDS prevention counselor or a teacher (Lindenberg et al., 1986). The actor is directly subjected to a reward or a threat. The second influence may be derived from network mediated control. For this influence, the members of the social network recognize that based on their response and compliance with the directions of the agent, they will get a reward or suffer a collective consequence (Lindenberg et al., 1986). The social network theory’s first influence of individual sanction based control can be applied on an individual female inmate with drug addiction. The individual may be sensitized on the importance of refraining from drugs and benefits accrued from the move (Heckathorn, 1999). Firstly, the reflection of benefits may range from the fact that the individual would reduce chances of being incarcerated, reduce incidences related to risks of drug use like addiction and other unhealthy conditions, and above all, mitigate risks of contracting HIV (Lindenberg et al., 1986). On the other hand, the social network theory’s second influence of network mediated control can be applied on a group of female inmates with drug addiction tendencies (Lindenberg et al., 1986). The group can be sensitized on the risks involved with drug use and how it affects their socioeconomic lives. In fact, a clear example can be drawn from them with empirical examples given from fellow inmates that have influenced them to venture into drug use. On the other hand, the dangers involved with contraction and spread of HIV could also be drawn empirically with examples being drawn from inmates with tendencies to, for example, share needles for drug injection, and the risks involved. Application of Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) Theory of reasoned action provides a link of how individual behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes construct human rationality (Terry & Gallois, 1993). According to the theory, cognitive structures, which involve behavioral and normative beliefs, influence individual norms. These attitudes shape individual behavior. TRA finally argues that a person’s intention indicates that a certain and desired behavior would occur. In overall, TRA model holds up that a linear process of individual’s behavioral and normative beliefs will eventually affect the individual’s actual behavior (Terry & Gallois, 1993). With the focus of TRA, it can be argued that individual attitude is the greatest influence of individual behavior. Focusing on incarcerated females, given that most of them come from poor backgrounds and with little or no education background, frustrations and loss of self esteem leads to involvement of drugs and violence something that leads to contraction of HIV. Therefore, it can be argued that if the primary cause of their problems can be changed, it would be easier to address the issues of drugs and HIV (Heckathorn, 1999). Conclusion and Recommendations According to the theories of TRA and SNT, the situation in the southern state can be reversed only if all the necessary measures are taken. For example, the use of individual sanction based control and network mediated control advocated by SNT may be used to influence the incarcerated females. On the other hand, according to TRA, addressing the root causes of the problems facing these women would help them a lot. Although being released from prison would lower chances of contraction HIV, it is essential for relevant authorities to consider extending prevention and other education services to the released women. In some instances, it may happen that some of them may not be aware of their HIV status, and they may continue having sex intercourse with other people outside the prison. In situations where one might have contracted the disease but is unaware of it, there is exceptionally high risk of spreading it to other partners. The services may include follow up programs where the incarcerated female continues to receive prevention information even as they leave the prison. References Heckathorn. D. (1999). AIDS and social networks: HIV prevention through network mobilization. Sociological focus, 32, 2: 159-178. Levinthal, C. F. (2008). Drugs, society and crime, (2nd Ed.). Boston, MA: Prentice Hall. Lindenberg, S., et al., (1986). Approaches to social theory. New York: Russell Sage Foundation Terry, D. & Gallois, C. (1993). The theory of reasoned action: Its application to aids-preventive behavior. New York: Routledge Read More