Prevention of HIV and STI - Essay Example

Statistical information shows that since 1992, every year in the US, 40 000 people have been infected with HIV and many more with STI. Treatments have been implemented since 1996, but they themselves have not shown effective in decreasing the number of HIV and STI infected patients. Therefore, it is concluded that prevention is the best option in preventing STI and HIV.

There are several types of interventions that, above all, need to be tested before they are implemented amongst the infected or non-infected population. One of those types is behavioral interventions. In all, 14 random case studies with behavioral intervention have been made, and only 5 of them have shown significant impact of STI. Nevertheless, it is concluded that the effects were modest and short-lived (6-12 months), and in the end, ineffective. Possibly, the most famous of these types of interventions is the use of condoms.

Research has shown that, indeed, condoms reduce the chance of infection, as much as 85-90% for HIV, and 50% for Chlamydia and gonorrhea, 70% for the Human papillomavirus (HPV), and 30-70% for Herpes simplex 2(HSV-2). Vaccines have always played a major role in the effective combat against diseases. Although there isn't a vaccine against HIV, there are many vaccines that help prevent STIs. For HPV L1 VLP there are multi-type trials underway to assess the effectiveness of the vaccines. For the HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) there is an effective vaccine, but sadly it is not used amongst the endangered population, which is a fine example of the ineffectiveness of government policies.

The HSV 2 is well treated with the latest vaccines, with a 73-74% reduction in the symptoms, and a 38-46% reduction in acquisition of HSV 2, but only in HSV 1 and 2 seronegative women. Other types of interventions include topical microbicides, such as the N-9 gel, which research has proven ineffective, even harmful, since it is concluded that there is a higher possibility of getting infected with than without the gel. Treatment of STI has also proven to be very effective in preventing HIV, as was shown with the study done in Mwanza, in Kenya.

Patient-delivered-partner treatment, which involves infected people bringing treatments that would prevent them from being infected, has also shown to be very effective in preventing STI, especially gonorrhea. Nevertheless, a remark is made by the entire scientific community about the government policies concerning the issue of preventing HIV and STI. The large and conservative part of the government of the USA remains a constant opposition to the interventions that include prevention of HIV and STI with condoms, vaccines, and other proven effective methods.

Instead, programs that promote abstinence from premarital sex are mostly funded, and funds most likely will increase. Yet, scientists have proven that these methods are ineffective, with the help of a study made by the Cochrane collaborative review group in July of 2004. Nevertheless, right-winged, conservative groups and councils are constantly created, while scientists and their research are being pushed aside. In essence, the policies of the government of the USA are ideological, misguided and harmful, and represent the main reason and barrier for implementing the proven, effective methods and the continuation of people's suffering under the ruthless character of HIV and STI.

For this reason, I believe that the most impressive statistic is the one that provided the misguided nature of the government's policies. It proves that the biggest problem is not the various STIs and HIV, but the large number of conservative authorities located in the government and allowing the people to face the dangerous diseases with poorly prepared methods. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain an open mind and a raised voice and to communicate with people all over the world, because, in the end, in unity always lies strength.