The Factors Contributing to the Global Spread of AIDS - Assignment Example

Literature review: The Factors Contributing to the Global Spread of AIDS AIDS or HIV infection is recognized as a global pandemic by all world countries and other global organizations. One major factor that is contributing to the spread of the disease worldwide is globalization which has resulted in increased mobility of people that puts them at a high risk of contracting the disease. In countries such as Africa majority of those affected by HIV are women as wars and regional conflicts in those regions have resulted in increased rape and risky sexual practices among women and girls. In addition, poverty and low social status of women in these countries have put them at increased risk of contracting HIV. The growing decrease in agricultural produce has further augmented the susceptibility and spread of HIV through malnutrition. The transmission of the disease among the homosexual population is also on the rise. The use of syringes contaminated by the virus by intravenous drug users also poses a greater risk of transmission of the disease. In unchecked cases blood transfusion or organ transplant from donors infected with the disease could transmit the virus to the recipient. HIV infected mothers also carry the risk of transmission to their unborn children either during pregnancy, delivery or labour. Breastfeeding has also been linked to HIV transmission. Other factors that have contributed to the global spread of the disease is through the recent surge in tattoo and piercing parlours where equipment infected with the virus could contribute to the spread of HIV. HIV infection can also spread in hospital settings when non-sterile instruments and surgical equipment contaminated with viruses that cause HIV are used. Though this type of transmission is low it continues to occur in poorer countries where unsafe practices continue to be followed even in hospitals. Both innocent patients as well as hospital staff could be affected in such cases (Coovadia & Hadingham 2005). The Actions of Governments and Organizations in Addressing the Problem Many countries around the world have adopted various strategies to control the spread of HIV infection. In America many non-governmental organizations have taken the initiative to increase the awareness about the diseases especially among the target population such as gay men and heterosexuals who indulge in unsafe sexual practices. In order to reduce the spread of infection from mother to child, many hospitals in the US advocate antiretroviral drugs for infected pregnant women and abstinence of breastfeeding. Similar safe practices and harm reduction programs for injecting drug users have been initiated to reduce the risk of transmission. Similar programs are conducted in several western and central European countries by which the rate of HIV transmission in medical setting and from mother to child has been reduced. While the situation in countries such as Africa is very grave given their lower economic and educational status, countries such as Uganda have invested maximum effort towards reducing the spread of infection by creating increased awareness of safe sexual practices. The involvement of political organization and grassroots organizations, open communication and testing and treatment of the disease at the appropriate time have all contributed to the rate of reduction. In addition, countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya and Senegal have also shown a reduction in HIV cases as political organizations strongly motivate people to abstain from unsafe sex and maintain marital fidelity. Countries such as Brazil have been successful in HIV prevention with the aid of non-governmental organizations and strong programs that focused on HIV prevention and care such as condom use and harm reduction programs. Cuba follows an old fashioned approach as people diagnosed with the disease are quarantined and their spouses are also tested for the infection. While gay sex is strictly prohibited, use of condoms and sex awareness programs are not given due importance. In Thailand and Cambodia which boasted of a thriving sex industry and hence a growing HIV epidemic measures such as 100% condom use and discouraging men from visiting sex workers have contributed immensely to curtail the epidemic. In India and China use of condoms and education and awareness about HIV along with routine testing for the disease have all helped in disease reduction (Avert, n.d). Main body: Worldwide Distribution of AIDS The AIDS epidemic is not just a global concern, but more of a social, political and economic challenge in developing countries. HIV infections and deaths from AIDS have escalated more in Africa, specifically the sub-Saharan region followed by South and South East Asia regions. The prevalence of the disease acts the in opposite of Obesity, where regions of America and Europe have low prevalence rates. Basically, HIV infections and death rates from AIDS have reduced over time, although they are still high in the developing world than in industrialized nations. In the sub-Saharan region, the AIDs epidemic is almost exceeding the hunger problem. Hence though obesity is very low in this region, hunger and HIV/AIDS problems are big challenges to the economies. According to UNAIDS, in 2011, there were 1.7 million AIDS related deaths, 23.5 in sub-Saharan Africa, 4.8 in Asia, 2.3 in North America, 1.4 in Latin America, 1.4 in Eastern Europe, and millions of people already living with HIV (2012). Besides Africans, based on races, the black community and in places like America are at the higher risk of infections from the disease. Overall, women have the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS related infections and deaths compared to men around the globe. The poorest regions of the continents record the highest rates of HIV/AIDs prevalence. Factors that have contributed to the Spread of AIDS Availability of medical care: Industrialized nations have a comparative advantage to the third world countries in places like Asia and Africa, because of the increased access and affordable medical care well distributed across the nations. A good number of people in developing countries are more likely to die earlier after HIV infections due to lack of timely treatments, which causes their fast deteriorated health and subsequent massive deaths as a result of AIDS, once their immunities are significantly reduced. Majority of the infected people are in marginalized areas; this is the situation in most African countries and when treatments are available, they are only beneficial to those in urban areas. Lack of precautionary measures: Sexual intercourse among teenagers, youths and adults has increased tremendously in the modern world just like alcohol intake among these groups. The trend shows that some people prefer sexual intercourse without use of condoms, which is a great risk for HIV infections and unwanted pregnancies. People under the influence of alcohol and drugs are at risk of contracting and spreading HIV infections since their judgement is severely affected by substances. Excluding sub-Saharan Africa, and instead accounting for Eastern Europe, Latin America, Eastern and southern parts of Asia among other regions, approximately 30 per cent of HIV infections that lead to earlier deaths and AIDS are as a result of unsafe (unsterilized objects) injections (UNODC, 2010). It is a worldwide challenge, where the tendency to engage in safe sex and injections is impaired by drugs causing people to be reckless. Traditionally initiated activities: In some marginalized areas, people have limited access to information, medical care, and security, which makes them unable to actively defend their rights. Traditional social behaviours such as some practices in Africa, which include traditional birth attendance and treatments, underage and premarital sex, and wife inheritance all contributed to the high prevalence of HIV transmissions and eventually AIDS and related deaths in the wake of the 21st century (Umunna, 2011). Sick wives/husbands left after their spouses’ deaths due to AIDS or HIV are remarried, ultimately spreading the diseases in the population. The aspect of traditional circumcisions both for girls and boys or the dependence on unknowledgeable midwives risks infections through cuts and sharing of unsterilized cutting objects. Women cannot be able to protect their children from parent to child HIV infections through traditional means, since they are not well informed or equipped to support the health of their new-borns. What and How Countries and Global Organizations are doing to prevent the Spread of AIDS Precautionary measures: For the sake of the public health, organizations and governments have come up with initiatives, which in the public domain remain debatable especially when issues of religion and faith are factored in. For example, some organizations have gone ahead to distribute syringes to drug users rather than just apprehending them, as a way of promoting anti-HIV /AIDS spread among users. Condoms are distributed in the brothels or sold at a cheaper price to the sex workers. In line with this, at the community levels, people are encouraged through HIV and AIDS awareness programs to engage in protected sexual intercourse using condoms. Working with education, hospitals and other industrial sectors, institutions like universities and colleges are supplied with protective condoms and receive regular training over the disease and how to protect themselves. It is not to encourage sexual activities among workers or students, but to enforce precautionary measures and give people the opportunity for good health, if they have to practice sex. In fact, HIV/AIDS is currently a unit in most higher learning organizations to promote public health. Investment in treatment, awareness and antiretroviral therapy: Increased civilization has enabled people to seek alternative and coordinated efforts to fight the AIDS epidemic. Globally, there have been evolutions in politics and governance, allowing people to select quality leaders that think of the current and future problems facing the nation. With the help of private donors and NGOs, most governments have invested heavily, committing their resources to fight AIDS. Antiretroviral treatment has enabled more people to regain their health and reduced deaths from AIDS; between 1995 and 2012, 14 million lives in low (nine million from sub-Saharan ) and middle income countries have been saved with the support of therapies (UNAIDS, 2012). More so, campaigns are well conducted even in the indigenous areas to educate people not only on HIV/AIDS, but also on other STDs. .......................................... (ADD 500 WORDS according to the literature review) Sex workers intervention: sex workers and prostitutes and those who indulge in active sexual activities are more at risk of getting the disease. HIV intervention prevention measures are thereby more reliable for sex workers. On the same breathe; if the transmission of HIV in a group is not intervened accordingly, there would be rapid spread from and to clients, wives, husbands and children. In Nairobi, peer education in terms of promotion of condom usage and STD control measures (Ngugi & Ndinya-Achola, 1988) has help curb 8000 – 10000 new infections annually. Promotion of girl child education and women literacy: Education and HIV/AIDS go hand in hand. Women who are well educated are more likely to be more aware of health related issues and thus capable of preventing HIV from spreading (UNFPA). Young men’s social statuses are widely accelerated by education. They become more receptive to relayed messages about HIV and this helps reduce its spread accordingly. Voluntarily HIV testing and counselling (VCT): This was widely adopted in Kenya and Tanzania as a control measure. It is deemed as a cost effective method. Majority of those who are mostly infected with HIV/AIDS are couples compared to single individuals. One heads to a testing centre and get tested for the virus free of charge thus becomes aware of his/her status. This serves as an efficient and reliable means to curb sexual activities in society too (Sweat & Coates, 1988). Male and female condom promotion: Those at high risk of HIV infection in society are women compared to men. Female condom usage is more disregarded due to its expensive nature. As a result, many in society have embraced usage of male condoms preferably. Studies on cost-effectiveness of female condoms was carried out with 1000 South African sexual workers as respondents (Marseille, Kahn, & Saba, 2001).The study came to a conclusion that the country would save a lot on the country’s economy and would help reduce the spread of the deadly virus. Condoms are of much help not only in developing countries but globally as well. They are the most common method of curbing the spread of HIV as well thus should be applauded and relied on extensively. Male circumcision: According to WHO/UNAIDS, research reveals that male circumcision reduces heterosexual men chances of being at risk of HIV infection by 60%. WHO/UNAIDS recommend the adoption of circumcision as an intervention to curb the spread of the virus. This basically applies to heterosexual epidemics. Male circumcision provides a partial protection with the subjects at hand undergoing other awareness schemes available within the centres such as VCT’s, treatment of any noticeable infections, advice on sexual practices and also they are provided with condoms and advised to be using them. In order to curb the spread of HIV globally, men should undergo the cut. Blood supply safety improvement: Alike USA, most central European and western countries have embarked in the reduction of HIV in the medical setting by embracing blood screening techniques as well as routine screening to reduce mother to child. Other adopted methods are like advising mothers to use preventive drugs and avoid breastfeeding (IHRA, 2010). References HRA (2010). Global State of Harm Reduction 2010. International Harm Reduction Association (2008). The Global State of Harm Reduction 2008: Mapping the response to drug-related HIV and hepatitis C epidemics. Marseille, E., Kahn, J.G., Billinghurst, K., Saba, J. (2001). Cost-effectiveness of the Female Condom in Preventing HIV and STDs in Commercial Sex workers in Rural South Africa. Soc Sci Med. 2001 Jan; 52(1):135-48 Ngugi, E.N., Plummer, F.A., Simonsen, J.N., Cameron, D.W, Bosire, M., Waiyaki, P., Ronald, A.R., Ndinya-Achola, J.O. (1988). Prevention of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Africa: Effectiveness of Condom Promotion and Health Education among Prostitutes. Lancet. 1988 Oct 15; 2(8616):887-90. Sweat, M., Gregorich, S., Sangiwa, G., Furlonge, C., Balmer, D., Kamenga, C., Grinstead, O., Coates, T. (2000). Cost-effectiveness of Voluntary HIV-1 Counselling and Testing in Reducing Sexual Transmission of HIV-1 in Kenya and Tanzania. Lancet. Jul 8; 356(9224):113-21. WHO (2014). HIV/AIDs: Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention. Retrieved 9 April 2014 from http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/     Read More