Reasons for the Rise in Number of HIV Patients - Essay Example

Critical Appraisal Student Name Institutional Affiliation 
 Introduction Following the rise of the number of HIV patients particularly in the United States, there was great concern about what could be the possible reasons for the rise in number. The focus was mainly on the young black men who despite being aware that the correct use of latex condom would be a great remedy to their peril, went ahead to engage in sexual activities that could eventually make them contract Sexually Transmitted Disease (Shain, 1999). It is for this reason that Focus of Future decided to conduct a study on the possible causes for the rise in the number of Sexually Transmitted Infection among young black men and how the right usage of the male latex condom can assist in reducing the spread of the STI (Russell & Adams, 1997). Another core reason why the study was conducted was to come up with strategies that could assist the black male youths to overcome blockades to the usage of condom. The study aimed at eliminating notions among the Black male youths that the use of condoms contributed to the reduction in sexual pleasure. Research question The research question was to find out how the adoption of condom usage among black male youths would impact on them. The type of study, variables and how they were measured The type of study that was conducted in this case was the randomized control trial. This is because the people that were under study were randomly allocated to get one of the many clinical interventions. It can also be classified as RCT study because it helped in eliminating the wrong perception that the Black male youths had and instilled with new ideas that the use of the latex condoms would assist them in reducing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infection (Kalmuss, 2003). Even while they were being encouraged to adopt the new method, they were under study to find out if it would yield positive results. The variables that were used in the study were the control group and the intervention groups. The participants of these groups varied in the results they gave out. Also, these two groups showed different variations in the results that they were derived from them. They used different age brackets as the measure so as to obtain different results. Key findings
 The study based its findings on the baseline comparison of behavioural, demographic and clinical characteristics among the Black Male Youths, it found out that Young Male Black Americans engaged in unprotected sex with young women. The US national HIV/AIDS strategy recognized that the adoption of his program assisted so much in highlighting the risks that the Black Male Youths were at (Crosby, et al, 2014). It was found out that conducting this study assisted in the reduction of sexual risks behaviours among the adolescent population. This took a period of 6-months under observation. The group was able to find out that the essential significant effects that were observed were pressing because the control group had easy access to high-quality condoms (Nyamathi & Koniak, 2007). They also attended educational programs where they were sensitized about the Sexually Transmitted Infections. It was found out that brief and tailored, sex-positive interactive, skill building counselling enlighten helped in increasing the usage of condom above. This was beyond the consequences that were felt by just providing an assortment of high-end lubricants and condoms. Distribution of the high-quality latex condom among the control group showed fewer effects to the control participants. However, the impact that it brought on the treatment condition was significantly large (MacPhail, 2001). It can be summarized that the overall finding of the group is that a brief intervention, which can be administered as part of Sexually Transmitted Infection for clinical care. This could help in the elimination of the disproportions of Sexually Transmitted Infection especially HIV/AIDS burden that is experienced among young Black Men. Evaluation of the main features of the research 
 The strengths of the research Just like any other research study, this study had its strengths and weaknesses. Despite the challenges and the weaknesses the research was able to become a success. The success is attributed to the research methods used including the techniques used to select respondents and obtaining information as well as the study design embraced in the study. The researchers conducted a pre-test study a post-test study and also a randomized study. By conducting the three researches, the validity of the research outcomes was improved. Furthermore, these studies were continuously done for six months that is an enough time to draw a conclusion. Moreover, the methods used by the researchers in selecting their respondents were more appropriate and effective. The target group for the research was the black males; therefore, they ensured that all the participants were black males aged between 15 and 23. The age range must have selected since they considered this group of males are the most sexually active and are more prone to transmitting sexually transmitted. They used also used similar recruitment procedures across all the sites where they had drawn their respondents, this ensured consistency and unbiased (Lemelle, 2011). Moreover, all the respondents by being made to undergo a medical examination helped the researchers in screening for eligibility of the respondents. They also ensured they received consent from the respondents before doing the examination and for the males that were younger than 18years they sought for consent from their guardians thus they complied with research ethics that demands that respondents must only willingly participate in a research study. When they were doing the computer generated algorithm they concealed the names and locations of the participants thus clearly depicting that they respected the identity of the respondents which is also in line with the research ethics. Furthermore, they were able to tailor the interventions by developing adaptations through a formative research. They also tailored their research questions to only focus on the aspects that would them determine which aspects of the program that were essential for their lives such as the kind of behaviours that they are more likely to change as a result of the program intervention and also the recommendations that they had for making the program more relevant and objective to the black male youths (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2001). These above-illustrated aspects are strengths since they increase the validity of the study and the attainment of accurate research findings. By being able to comply with research, ethics is also strength because it encouraged the participants to engage in the study as they were sure that their identity was withheld, and they would also gain from the research findings. Limitations that the researchers were able to identify Amidst the research, the researchers were able to identify some limitations. They found out that some male respondents were hesitant and were not willing to engage in the program as they felt talking about their sexual lives was something private and most were not willingly to share out. The researchers addressed these limitations by creating awareness on the significance of the program and also assuring them that their identity will be withheld, and none of their information will be made public. The researchers had to be persuasive to convince the participants to engage in the research. Limitations that the authors experienced and their impacts on the research Despite the research turning out to be a success, the researchers were faced myriad challenges in a bid to implementing their program intervention. The first hurdle was the endless bureaucracy in place that they had to adhere. They had to conduct a pre-test, post test and some randomized studies which took a period of six months. Similarly, the process of getting the respondents took relatively longer as compared to other forms of researches due to its nature; it was hard convincing black males to participate in the research as some of them considered that it was an act of racial discrimination as they wondered why only the blacks were used (Gordon, 2004). Furthermore, the process of determining the eligibility of the respondents was long and tiresome; they had to conduct medical examination which some of the respondents refused to undertake for personal reasons. Thus, the long process made the respondents make some assumptions and even skip some of the processes which affected the validity of the research findings. Conclusion In conclusion, based on the research, I feel that the overall quality of the study was good as the research was extensive taking a time span of more than six months and because they also adhered to research ethics. Recommendations that can be made based on the research are that they should have expanded their research scope to other populations. By only focusing on black males from the ages of 18-23 limited the generalizability of the research findings. Reference Alan Guttmacher Institute. (2001). Readings on men: From Family planning perspectives, 1987-1995. New York, NY: Alan Guttmacher Institute. Crosby, R. A., Charnigo, R. J., Salazar, L. F., Pasternak, R., Terrell, I. W., Ricks, J., ... & Taylor, S. N. (2014). Enhancing condom use among Black male youths: A randomized controlled trial. 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