Epidemiology-HIV/AIDS - Research Paper Example

? “Epidemiology-HIV/AIDS” Epidemiology is a study carried out to know the frequency of occurrence of any disease in different groups of population. It aids in evaluating and planning out the approaches to check the disease and describes the integral part of the disease by collecting all the relevant information such as the data collection and its interpretation, various terminologies related with the disease. AIDS is pandemic and encompasses many epidemics of different subtypes. The leading factor for its multiplication and spread include sexual transmission and vertical transmission where the fetus gets the disease from the mother (Kallings, 2008). Even though there is an improvement in the lines of treatment of AIDS, AIDS pandemic is known to kill 2.1 million people in the year 2007, amongst these 330,000 were children below the age of 15. Reports reveal that around 33.2 million individuals were suffering with this disease in 2007 involving 2.5 million children also, it was calculated approximately that 2.5 million people got the fresh infection, of these 420,000 were children (AIDS epidemic Update). Reports of 2007 state that sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected area, where 68% people living with the disease and 76% deaths are reported due to AIDS, fresh infections encompass 1.7 million cases, making a total of 22.5 million HIV individuals. Estimates reveal that 61% of reported cases were women (AIDS epidemic Update) with prevalence in South Africa followed by Nigeria and India (Mcneil, 2007). Reports also state that life expectancy in the worst affected regions has decreased as in the year 2006 from 65 to 35 in Botswana (Kallings, 2008). The major reason that emerged to be the cause of disease is lack of awareness and lack of health care resources, contributed by the possibility of sexual contacts with at-risk males. Geographical inequality, poor living conditions are also one of the leading causes for the prevalence of the disease. Historical Significance Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first identified in gay men in United States in 1981 and therefore termed as GRID (Gay- Related Immune Deficiency). However, the existence of disease is traced long back in 1959 and is reported as one of the articles in CNN states that “1959 and all that: Immunodeficiency viruses” by Simon Wain-Hobson of the Pasteur Institute in Nature (Vol. 391, 5 February 1998, pp. 532-533). It is evident that both forms of the AIDS causing virus called as Human Immunodeficiency virus HIV-1 and HIV-2 originated in Africa and came to human race from chimpanzees (HIV-1) and sooty mangabeys (for HIV-2) (History of AIDS). Any kind of adaptation that microbes make is solely related to the changing ecological niches and habitats, in 1982, the American Red Cross referred the immune deficiency disease as AIDS. In 1983, Dr. Luc Montagnier working at Pasteur Institute in France isolated LAV (Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus) retrovirus. In 1984, Dr. Robert Gallo, working at National Cancer Institute isolated the HTLV-III (Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus III) a retrovirus. HTLV-III continued as the reference of AIDS in 1985 by "The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) as “primary etiologic agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome” later in 1985, HTLV-III and LAV were found to be the same viruses and then they were designated as HIV (History of AIDS). Methodology to Analyze Prevalence in Teenage HIV or AIDS cases have been diagnosed in individuals belonging to the age group of 13 to 24 years in various states of United States. Surveillance report was prepared by Rangel et al, (2006) to understand the changing trend in last five years. The motive of the report was to define the current scenario of the human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) prevalence in United States among the teens, adolescents and young adults as little research has been carried out in this area. It is imperative to study the epidemiological prevalence of the disease as this group contributes to a large percentage of population of United States. According to the study carried out by Rangel et al, (2006), by the end of year 2003; 7074 individuals belonging to the age group, 13 to 24 years, were reported with AIDS. 63% individuals were of the age 20 to 24 years. Report further reveals that AIDS rate was found to be the highest in Black population with a prevalence of 63/100,000 individuals while prevalence of HIV/AIDS among youth in South was reported as 22/100,000 and in Northeast as 18/100,000. The report further highlights the prevalence on the basis of gender indicating that, among females, the rate of HIV/AIDS declined from 1611 (1999) to 1454 (2003) on the other hand prevalence rate enhanced in males from 1763 (1999) to 2443 (2003). The trend in males is attributed to the sexual relationship in males with other male (Rangel, et al, 2006). The data of surveillance report indicate that HIV/AIDS burden is more in Southern region of United States as compared to other areas. The population of Black or individuals belonging to Hispanic community displayed greater prevalence were gay culture is prevalent among the youth belonging to the age of 13 to 24 years. This findings highlight the fact that lack of appropriate preventive measures being adopted by the individuals belonging to this age group, poor awareness and higher prevalence of homosexuality; all these factors are responsible in contributing to HIV/AIDS prevalence (Rangel, et al, 2006). Changing Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in United States Observation reveals that despite the fact that lot of preventive measures are being made available with constant research studies, an increase in the number of AIDS cases is witnessed. More than 1 million AIDS victims are residing in United States with or without prognosis for AIDS. Various studies highlight the changing trend in the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS due to augmentation in the sexual relationship. The higher prevalent of men-men sexual relationship among African Americans, emerged as an obstacle in combating HIV/AIDS (Fenton, 2007). However, with growing awareness, interventions are being followed for getting relief from the dreaded infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasize on regular testing for HIV to formulate it is a routine medical examination. Early diagnosis could be beneficial for the faster intervention as well as enhanced prognosis of the infected individuals (Fenton, 2007). Such measures not only enhance the chances of better prognosis of HIV/AIDS but also minimize the jeopardy of onward transmission of the condition. Diagnosis is accompanied by psychotherapy, edification besides treatment to safeguard the individual and to prevent the chances of witnessing the condition again (Fenton, 2007). In the present scenario it is becoming essential to undergo routine HIV testing and therefore high level of recommendation for such testing is promoted which is the hallmark to preventive measurement (Fenton, 2007). Cultural interventions play vital role in diagnosis and prevention of the condition. Therefore, dynamic and multidimensional approach is highly imperative and this has provided a new paradigm to the epidemiological innovation. Addressing social customs of diverse population groups especially the minority communities with the innovations in technical know-how, bindings related to ethical and cultural predisposition could be resolved. Considering such measures to be highly significant CDC has formulated an extensive HIV prevention program encompassing four main essential considerations which are applicable amongst individuals belonging to all ages especially the young population as they have entire life to lead. These interventions encompass- making HIV testing as a routine element of medical care and should be promoted even outside medical settings; prevention of perinatal HIV transmission. These measures were taken into consideration after the estimation report of AIDS cases which highlighted the fact about 984,155 HIV/AIDS cases till the end of 2005 (Fenton, 2007). Studies witness a changing trend in HIV epidemiology, number of deaths are decreasing as compared to the deaths in 1990s, but with the growing population the number of HIV cases are also increasing at the rate of 40,000 cases per year most of them are contributed by MSM (men who have sex with men) (Fenton, 2007). Surveillance report procured for young individuals highlight the fact that young individuals belonging to the ethnic minority communities are more prone to the condition. Data collected from 35 areas display, in 2004, 4883 young individuals were receiving diagnosis for HIV/AIDS especially belonging to the age of 13- 19 years. Further, it is revealed that 55% African Americans were affected by HIV condition in 2003 and 2004. While in the year 2004, 70% cases of new infection cases reported, belonging to the age group of 13- 19 years of age, involved African Americans, 15% cases were attributed to White community and 13% to the Hispanic community. Even in young population, males were reported to be the victim to a larger extent as compared to the females. Females were infected due to heterosexual behavior (Fenton, 2007). Numerous factors are responsible to increase the jeopardy of HIV infection. Early sexual involvement, as many as 47% of high school children have had sexual intercourse and 7.4% of these cases had sexual intercourse before the age of 13 years (Fenton, 2007). Other contributing factors that are considered to be responsible encompass female genitalia, lack of awareness about the partner's jeopardy, age difference i.e. young girls having relationship with older men, STD victim; since STD enhances the rate of HIV transmission and STD is prevalent in minority community. Addiction to alcohol, substance abuse are some habits that are responsible for HIV infection as these conditions engage in high-risk behavior; under the power of drugs they normally have unprotected sex, thereby transmitting infection (Fenton, 2007). Individuals who runways from home or are homeless may become victim of individual with HIV/AIDS and thereby spreading the disease (Fenton, 2007). Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Interventions There is a saying “Prevention is better than Cure”. It is therefore if opportune preventive medicines and preventive care is taken it prevents the onset of disease which is very crucial in case of dreaded diseases like AIDS. These preventive measures takes place in three steps: Primary preventive measures prevent the disease from its onset. This is to create awareness about the disease in healthy or non-diseased population who do not have AIDS and thereby reducing the number of fresh cases from occurring. Creating awareness in health promotion is primary preventive measure (British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society). Secondary prevention activities encompass detection of the disease in early stages of its development. This helps in preventing disease progression and hence development of symptoms. In AIDS this is related to the group of individuals who are at high risk of contracting and transmitting HIV infection. Health care workers, doctors, sex-workers belong to this category (British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society). Tertiary prevention prevents the development of complications associated with the disease and thereby diminishing the harmful effect of an established HIV infection. This is a measure to enhance the quality of life (British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society). Community Health Nurse in solving this problem Community health nurses are directly related to the people. They play an imperative and key role in promoting awareness in mass by educating them about the preventive measures, care and if victimized which line of therapy need to be followed. They form a direct link between the patient and the physician. Community health nurses are close to the patient as well as the relatives of the patient and hence they form a close association which is very crucial in combating the dreaded condition of HIV/AIDS especially among the growing children belonging to teenage. Conclusion The present study states that AIDS is a pandemic but it is feasible to prevent its spread with the prevalent technologies and interventions. Treatment of STD, enhancing the use of condoms and regular HIV testing are the potential factors contributing to HIV combat. Media, counseling, education, community health workers should work in a coherent manner to combat the disease. It is essential to understand that prevention is better than cure and it is cost effective than fighting with the disease and associated secondary complications. The disease is pandemic and therefore global gap should be fulfilled and affected areas must be funded to prevent the world from disaster of AIDS. It is also essential to develop and devise new and cost effective health facilities and more emphasis on the preventive measures be prepared (Gayle, 2001). References AIDS epidemic update. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://data.unaids.org/pub/EPISlides/2007/2007_epiupdate_en.pdf. British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.bcpwa.org/section.php?section=empower_yourself&page=positive_prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). HIV/AIDS—United States, 1981 2000.Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(27), 594. Fenton, K. A. (2007). HIV/AIDS in the United States: Implications for Enhancing and Promoting HIV Testing Strategies. Clin Infect Dis. 45(4), S213-S220. Gayle, H. D., Hill, G. L. (2001). Global Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS. Clinical Microbiol Rev. 14(2), 327-335. History of AIDS. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://fohn.net/history-of-aids/ Kallings, L. O. (2008). The first postmodern pandemic: 25 years of HIV/AIDS. J Intern Med, 263(3), 218–43. Mcneil, D. G. (2007). U. N. Agency to Say It Overstated Extent of H.I.V. Cases by Millions. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html? Rangel, M. C., Gavin, L., Reed, C., Fowler, M. G., Lee, L. M. (2006). Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS among adolescents and young adults in the United States. J Adolesc Health, 39(2), 156-63. Read More