HIV and AIDS as a Taboo of the Arab World - Coursework Example

HIV and AIDS: the Taboo of the Arab World "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many peopleare afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world."1 The Arab world is governed by the stringent religious practices of Islam. As a consequence, promiscuity or deviant sexual behaviour is addressed in an extremely ruthless manner. Therefore, it was presumed by the majority that the Arab world had successfully circumvented the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This fallacy was dispelled in the year 2007, when the United Nations released its global statistics on the HIV/ADIS epidemic; wherein it was forcefully brought to the fore that nearly 25,000 people, hailing from the region between the Maghreb and the Horn of Africa, had recently acquired this dread disease.2 That the denizens of the Arab world were no different from the rest of the world, at least in this aspect, was tellingly brought home, by this report. In addition, a truly alarming feature of this epidemic was that around half of the newly infected individuals were less than twenty five years old. As such, it had been estimated by the UN that there were around half a million people infected with HIV/AIDS, in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. This disease persists in the Arab world, and the proportion of the population infected with HIV is of the order of 0.3%; however, Sudan has a significantly higher proportion of such patients, at 1.5%.3 These statistics reveal the fact that in the Arab world, strict religious practices do not prevent the youth from sexual deviations. Despite the insistence of the nations of the Islamic nations of the Middle East and North Africa that their moral and religious mores preclude the prevalence of such diseases, the fact remains that their immunity, Vis – a - Vis the HIV/AIDS is chimeral. Finally, these nations have been forced to admit that this epidemic is on the increase in their nations, and that such escalation is taking place at an alarming pace. As a consequence, several projects have been initiated, in this region, with the collaboration of NGOs, international organisations, and the concerned governments.4 These endeavours have been buttressed by a serious attempt to impart knowledge about HIV/AIDS to their peoples. Unfortunately, these initiatives have proved to be inadequate in addressing this seemingly insuperable predicament, because of their recent origin and limited reach. Another major difficulty envisaged with this problem, is the absence of reliable and comprehensive information regarding the prevalence of this infection.5 Therefore, it cannot be gainsaid that the identification of such people has emerged as an onerous task, in these nations. The following research by UNAIDS revealed the unwelcome truth in respect of the proliferation of HIV infection in the Middle Eastern Countries. It was not taken seriously by the countries of the Arab world, due to the fact that HIV infections were lesser in proportion in these countries, in comparison to the countries of Sub – Sahara Africa. The UNAIDS had reported that there were nearly 510,000 people, afflicted with HIV/AIDS, in the Middle East region countries, as of the year 2005. Moreover, around 0.2% of the adults were identified as being infected with this disease, at that point of time. 6 However, this state of affairs did not cause much consternation, because in the nearby countries of the sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of the infected population was considerably higher at 7%. In addition, more than twenty – six million people were found to be HIV positive, in these countries of the sub – Saharan Africa. 7 The situation in this region admits of no complacency, and in another survey conducted by UNAIDS; 67,000 new cases of HIV infection were reported in the nations of the Middle East and North Africa, in the year 2005. Although these numbers were representative, they generated substantial concern amongst the experts on public health.8 However, the fact remains that propagation of this epidemic in the Arab world was significantly impeded, due to the religious practices inherent in these societies. The Arab world is distinguished by a social fabric that promotes strong family networks; in addition, the Muslim male is enjoined by religious diktat to undergo circumcision. These distinct traits have served to curtail the spread of AIDS in Muslim societies, to an appreciable extent. Nevertheless, the problem persists and has undergone an escalation, in no small measure due to social changes, like internal conflicts between nations and the increased migration of people from one country to another. 9 These changes, per se, have served to augment the prevalence of HIV in the region, and they have caused it to become vulnerable to the spread of AIDS. Neither the family networks, nor the strict religious practices, were able to prevent the spread of the HIV epidemic. The reason for this is that these social institutions did not impart the required information about this dreadful disease to the populace. Another major cause for concern in the Arab world is that the youth have been found to be more susceptible to this infection. According to the available information, such youth number a third of their society, and the members of this group are increasingly acquiring the HIV infection. Moreover, the proliferation of satellite television and the Internet exposes the youth to the sexual experimentation that is prevalent in western societies. Furthermore, school education tends to ignore matters related to sexual health.10 This constitutes a fatal combination, which renders it very difficult for the young people to garner reliable advice or information. The modern age of the Internet permits the youth to gain unwanted and destructive knowledge regarding human sexuality. Another major feature of the Arab nations is the prevalence of substantial gender disparity, in comparison to the rest of the world. There are a number of traditional practices, in Arab societies, such as child and intergenerational marriage, and female genital mutilation, which have been associated with the propagation of the HIV infection.11 The chief cause for this is gender disparity, and traditions like child marriage and marriage among relations has served to exacerbate the problem of HIV infection. Despite the fact that the Arab nations of the Middle East and North Africa, invariably collate data, in respect of HIV and AIDS; there is considerable deficiency regarding the competence of the local authorities, to arrive at a correct diagnosis. Moreover, there are very few nations, in these regions that conduct tests on pregnant women, in order to determine the presence of HIV infection in them.12 Albeit, a number of attitude, belief, knowledge and practice surveys had been conducted in a significant number of Arab nations, behaviours were conspicuous by their absence. This lacuna could be attributed to the strong predilection amongst the populace to eschew discussions relating to sexuality.13 Consequently, there was scant information regarding the prevalence of HIV in these societies. The fear of social stigma and humiliation has impeded the free flow of information regarding AIDS in these countries. For instance, Salama, a Germany based, Egyptian writer of considerable renown, has brought to the fore, the reluctance of the Arab countries to seriously countenance the HIV issue. Such lack of enthusiasm is due to the well founded fear of public outrage. The economic difficulties and political stagnation, in these countries has made it difficult to depict any national feature or occurrence that portrays their society in poor light. It had been suggested, in this context, that the Arab countries would benefit considerably, if they were to adopt the approach of the Western world, and tackle this problem in a straight forward manner, without any aberration.14 The problem of HIV had been dealt with by the western societies, in a transparent manner, whereas the Arab reaction was distinguished by serious attempts at concealment of facts and serious inhibitions while attempting to deal with it. It is cause for concern that there is substantial social isolation and rejection, Vis – a – Vis individuals infected with the HIV, in the Arab world. Such stigmatisation is promoted by several entities, including the media and politicians. This deplorable situation was highlighted in a recent workshop organised under the aegis of the United Nations Development Programme, in collaboration with the Reuters Foundation. The perusal of some 280 newspapers of the Arab world revealed that there was considerable disinformation, inaccuracy, insults and stigmatising language being routinely employed, whilst referring to individuals afflicted with HIV.15 Stigmatisation is the chief cause for the non disclosure of AIDS in these countries. Even the media and politicians have promoted the humiliation of AIDS patients, on several occasions. Not surprisingly, any initiative against HIV in the Arab world is fraught with difficulty. This is due to the fact that people suffering from this dread disease, spare no effort to conceal their disease. It is to be realised that the dread menace of HIV can be overcome, only if those who are infected with it participate in social life, without any inhibitions or restrictions. A serious effort has to be made to contest cultural, religious and social stigma; and this necessitates interaction between the infected and the healthy sections of the population.16 Undoubtedly, this entails significant courage on the part of the religious and political authorities; which has, in general, been deficient. In addition to countenancing the symptoms of HIV, patients with this infection have to face considerable stigma. These unfortunate, individuals, are categorised as being highly undesirable and abnormal. This constitutes the result achieved by the process of stigmatisation, and people with HIV are deemed to be unwelcome; as a consequence, they are segregated from the rest of society. 17 Lack of knowledge regarding this epidemic is one of the major causes for stigmatisation. However, some of the nations of the Arab world have adopted a proactive approach, which has proved to be beneficial in countering this infection. For example, in Morocco, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have emerged as a major problem for healthcare. As a result, the Moroccan Government has attached considerable importance to it in its HIV control programme. This nationwide programme has provided the populace with a wealth of information, education and communication strategies that could assist them in circumventing and preventing STDs. In this endeavour, semi-direct and in-depth interviews were conducted with male and female participants from the general public. Moreover, the value of this exercise was greatly improved, due to the participation of healthcare professionals and providers. The latter provided information and data, regarding the prevalence of STDs and the treatment seeking behaviour of those infected with STDs.18 These interviews were successful in depicting the prevalence of deep gender disparities, in comprehending STDs. In Morocco, it is generally believed that STDs are carried by females, and several infected males have alleged victimisation by women. Moreover, men have better sources of information about STDs, in comparison to women, who suffer the most from the physical, psychological and social consequences of STD.19 In addition; men have greater access to treatment and healthcare, than women. Gender discrimination in these countries, resulting in the poor health care of women is a significant factor in the spread of this disease. There is a penchant among the Arab world to conceal the extent to which HIV has affected their societies. A glaring example of this contention is provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is a highly developed country in the Middle East region. The authorities of this nation have deemed it in the national interest to conceal the exact number of their HIV/AIDS cases, from UNAIDS. It had been conjectured by health experts that the chief transmission mode for HIV/AIDS in the UAE was heterosexual transmission. The majority of the infected men had been infected by sex workers; while most of the women had been infected by their husbands.20 The commonly employed method, in the UAE, for preventing HIV, was to screen blood, bodily organs and tissues, prior to transplants. Moreover, early detection programmes were established, in respect of population groups, like foreign workers, government employees, university students, and couples on the verge of matrimony. However, it is imperative for the UAE government to adopt novel strategies, so as to create awareness among the public, impart training to healthcare professionals and motivate people to garner the necessary information to mitigate risk of infection.21 The spreading of knowledge among the people regarding infection mitigates the risk. All said and done, the risk of HIV is greatest among the youth, who are more vulnerable to this disease, because of their lack of sex education. The HIV infection problem can be better addressed, by developing a greater understanding of the epidemic and by adopting superior preventive measures. The government has to adopt protective health – behaviour patterns towards HIV patients, and the youth should develop greater tolerance towards those who have been afflicted by this veritable scourge.22 Moreover, a tolerant attitude should be developed towards the unfortunate individuals who have been infected by this dread disease. This is indispensable, unequivocal and irrefutable if this terrifying ailment is to be controlled and finally eliminated. It can be surmised that stigmatisation, adversely affects the entire society, in respect of curbing the epidemic. List of References Ban Ki – moon (UN Secretary General), ‘The stigma factor’, The Washington Times, 2008, retrieved 19 January 2010, < http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/06/the-stigma-factor/>. Carla Makhlouf Obermeyer, ‘HIV in the Middle East’, British Medical Journal, vol. 333, iss. 7573, October 2006, p. 851. Dariusch Atighetchi, ‘Islamic bioethics: problems and perspectives’, International library of ethics, law, and the new medicine, vol. 31, 2007, p. 211 Francisca Ayodeji Akala and Carol Jenkins, Preventing HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa, 2005, retrieved 17 January 2010, < http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTHIVAIDS/Resources/375798-1127498796401/082136264XPreventingHIV.pdf >. Jan McGirk, ‘Religious leaders key in the Middle East’s HIV/AIDS fight’, The Lancet, vol. 372, iss. 9635, July-August 2008, p. 279 Khadija Moalla, Enhancing Enabling Environment, 2009, retrieved 17 January 2010, < http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:dpqORtSA278J:www.theglobalfund.org/documents/regionalmeetings/jordan2009/Day_01/Khadija_Moala_Enhancing_Environment.ppt+HIV+stigma+arab+countries&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk >. LE Manhart, A Dialmy, and CA Ryan, ‘Sexually transmitted diseases in Morocco: gender influences on prevention and health care seeking behavior’, Social Science & Medicine, vol.50, iss.10, May 2000, p. 1369. Maria Ganczak, Peter Barss, Fatima Alfaresi, Shamma Almazrouei, Amal, Muradda, and Fatma Al-Maskari, ‘Break the Silence: HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, and Educational Needs among Arab University Students in United Arab Emirates’, Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 40, iss. June 2007, p. 572. Mustafa Abdel - Halim, AIDS, Hidden Crisis In Arab, Islamic Countries, 2003, retrieved 17 January 2010, < http://muslimvillage.com/story.php?id=1307>. Nick Kotch, Arab clerics join fight against stigma of HIV/AIDS, 2007, retrieved 17 January 2010, < http://www.reuterslink.org/news/hivaidscairo.htm >. PS Dlamini, TW Kohi, LR Uys, RD Phetlhu, ML Chirwa, JR Naidoo, WL Holzemer and M Greeff, LN, ‘Verbal and Physical Abuse and Neglect as Manifestations of HIV/AIDS Stigma in Five African Countries’, Public Health Nursing, vol. 24, iss. 5, 2007, p. 390. Shereen El Feki, ‘Middle-Eastern AIDS efforts are starting to tackle taboos’, The Lancet, vol. 367, iss. 9515, March 2006, p. 975 World Health Organization, UNAIDS, Middle East and North Africa, 2005, retrieved 17 January 2010, . Read More