Analysis of about Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa - Literature review Example

Nursing Literature Review Nursing Literature Review Increasingly the centrality of culture is being recognized as playing a vital role in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, the available treatment options, home or hospital care as well as follow ups or supportive care (Caldwell et al., 1989). Cultural behaviors have been found to have both positive and negative impacts on health and therefore HIV/AIDS program donors and those in the policy making sector are adopting the full baseline consideration of cultural perspectives to the HIV crisis (Nguyen et al., 2008). The Black African citizens bear the greatest risk to the disease. Culture and cultural practices are deeply rooted in Africa and more particularly in the southern Africa region, to understand the implication of Culture on AIDS and the Effect that AIDS has had on cultural practices in the region, careful study is required on the practices before and after the onset of the disease (Denis & Becker, 2006). For purposes of this research, culture is defined in a holistic approach encompassing the lifestyles, the basic rights of each individual, values, traditions and belief systems, all which form the web of a people’s way of life (Caldwell et al., 1989). The debate concerning the comparative roles of health care and unsafe sex in the spread of the HIV pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa has intensified in the last two decades. Most experts in the Public Health sector however believe that only unsafe sex i.e. the practice of having unprotected sexual intercourse is the main cause of the spread of HIV. According to Caldwell et al, concurrent sexual behavior and overlapping sexual partnerships by both men and women is root cause of the pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa (Gallant, 2009). I will choose my research topic based on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the fact that may people seem to be overlooking the cultural aspect that is so much rooted in the lifestyles that eventually lead to the uncontrolled levels of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Problem Statement: Culture and cultural practices are deeply rooted in Africa and more particularly in the southern Africa region, to understand the implication of Culture on AIDS and the effect that AIDS has had on cultural practices in the region, careful study is required on the practices before and after the onset of the disease (Nguyen et al., 2008). Over the past years, it has become evident that nations across southern Africa are undergoing serious epidemics particularly HIV/AIDS and the Opportunistic diseases that come after AIDS. Several factors have been held culprit to the spread of HIV in these regions; some of the factor s includes social, cultural, medical and perhaps the economical factors. In the list too are 1) Gender role expectations, the low social placement of women in the society, the feeling that men have a right to sexual freedom, and the belief that women must be fertile 2) immigrant labor and women’s dependence on men and 3) sexually transmitted pandemics (Marcus, 1993). Literature Search I will find relevant secondary sources of information that will guide my study in my chosen topic of research. Since I am dealing with culture and HIV/AIDS, several keywords will be used in searching for the literature in the study. Some of these are: Key words used in searching information relevant for this study: HIV in the Sub-Saharan, Cultural and HIV, Behavioral Practices and HIV, HIV/AIDS in Africa, HIV Donors, AIDS Mitigation in Africa, Sex and HIV. Resources to be Used in the Study 1. Caldwell et al., (1989). Excerpt from A multilevel analysis of the determinants of high risk sexual behavior (multiple sexual partners) in sub-Saharan Africa. 2. To carry out this study, I will use the internet search engines such as Google, yahoo to search for special topics related to this study as well as journal databases. I began my search by use of appropriate key words that relate to my search. These are; “HIV in the Sub-Saharan,” “Cultural influences of HIV/AIDS in Africa,” “Behavioral Practices that are deeply rooted to culture.” One journal was the “A multilevel analysis of the determinants of high risk sexual behavior (multiple sexual partners) in sub-Saharan Africa” and all these searches provided a good basis in my study. There were many related topics in both journal entries and in selected sites. I selected the most suitable articles that I have refereed to here and showed in my annotated bibliography. I did not need to refine my key words as the above pointers directed me to the relevant information that I will need for my study. These key words HIV in the Sub-Saharan provided the most fruitful information as it covered a wide scope of the topic such as the prevalent polygamy rates in Africa and efforts that are being put in place as mitigation measures to this practice. It also refers the reader to related scholarly articles as well as relevant sites that cover similar topics. Articles appropriate for this study Caldwell, J. C., Caldwell, P., & Quiggin, P. (1989). The social context of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Population and development review, 185-234. Franks K. Emily. (2009). Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in the Sub-Saharan Africa Region with a Focus on Uganda. Gallant, J. (2009). 100 questions & answers about HIV and AIDS. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Marcus, R. (1993). Gender and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Malawi and Uganda. Institute of Development Studies Brighton. California, CA: Sage Haacker, M. (2009). Financing HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Health Affairs, 28(6), 1606-1616. Lovász, E., & Schipp, B. (2009). THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SUB‐SAHARAN AFRICA1. South African Journal of Economics, 77(2), 245-256. Nguyen et al., (2008). The Socio-cultural Aspects of HIV/AIDS in South Africa – Springer Denis, P. & Becker, C. (2006). The HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, in a historical perspective, online edition. Stringer, J.S., Sinkala, M., Rouse, D., Goldenberg, R.L., & Vermund, S.H. (2002). Effect of nevirapine toxicity on choice of perinatal HIV prevention strategies. American Journal of Public Health, 92(3), 365-366. Schuklenk, U., & Kleinsmidt, A. (2007). Rethinking mandatory HIV testing during pregnancy in areas with HIV prevalence rates: Ethical and policy issues. American Journal of Public Health, 97(7), 1179-1183. Uchudi, J. Magadi, M & Mostazir, M. (2010). A multilevel analysis of the determinants of high risk sexual behavior (multiple sexual partners) in sub-Saharan Africa, sponsored by the UK medical council. Journal Article - http://www.city.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/84719/The-determinants-of-high-risk-sexual-behavior-in-Africa-SR.pdf World Health Organization. WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS). Geneva: WHO; 2006. Bordens, K. S., & Abbott, B. B. (2010). Research design and methods: A process approach (8 ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill. Schmeige, S. J., Broaddus, M. R., Levin, M., & Bryan, A. D. (2009). Randomized trial of group interventions to reduce HIV/STD risk and change theoretical mediators among detained adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 38-50. doi: 10.1037/a0014513 Data Evaluation Source Credibility Accuracy Reasonableness Support Caldwell et al., (1989). Excerpt from A multilevel analysis of the determinants of high risk sexual behavior (multiple sexual partners) In sub-Saharan Africa. The authors credentials are well documented e.g. John C. Caldwell being an honored scholar by Australian University, and has been a research and demographer in Asia and Africa. Vol. 15, No. 2 (Jun., 1989), pp. 185-234 The information is still timely as it still lies within the timeline of an era when HIV/AIDS was declared a national disaster in Africa. He presents facts and is not biased to any stereotyping information. He has been cited by many other authors Franks K. Emily. (2009). Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in the Sub-Saharan Africa Region with a Focus on Uganda. This source is important for the facts that I am seeking in my study concerning the mitigation measures of HIV. The author is a graduate from Indiana University, School of Medicine. The publication are most recent and are accurate to date (2010) Provides information for a targeted audience in the health sector therefore important for health facts Has been cited and recommended by other doctors. Gallant, J. (2009). 100 questions & answers about HIV and AIDS. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Factual and straightforward questions and answers on HIV and AIDS. Gallant is from the University of California, Berkeley. Current and publication by reputable companies, Jones and Bartlett Provides most asked questions about HIV and AIDs that are widespread for every region scourged by the pandemic. Is a recommendation to any researcher who is seeking facts to HIV and AIDS. Marcus, R. (1993). Gender and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Malawi and Uganda-Institute of Development Studies Brighton. California, CA: Sage Provides well research material on the subject of my study. Rachel Marcus is a known Research Assistant. Report number 35, shows that the other is credible and working to keep up with current happenings. Objective and balanced research articles. Has worked with other scholars as Bridget Byrne, and Tanya Powers-Sevens. Contacts provided and supported by the Netherlands Special Programme. Email and website given. Haacker, M. (2009). Financing HIV/AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Health Affairs, 28(6), 1606-1616. Also has an online edition with proper author information in a scholarly presentation. Current articles, as dated 2009 providing up to date information Research that covers more than one discipline and related sources Publications from reputable companies like Princeton University Press. World Health Organization. WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS). Geneva: WHO; 2006. Most up to date information is found is this site It is updated yearly due to world statistics and current reviews by researchers. World Health Organization is the world source of Health information facts and sources Always comprehensive and conclusive Has been utilized by all scholarly health and related articles as well as recommended for any researcher. Annotated Bibliography Caldwell, J. C., Caldwell, P., & Quiggin, P. (1989). The social context of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Population and development review, 185-234. The paper relates to the context of sexual practices in the African culture showing some habits as coercion and physical violence among women. A public health concern has been identified in Kigali as including physical and sexual violence. Even though violence does not necessarily spread the HIV virus, it is found that most of the behavioral choices come by way of coercion. Women who are lured by money or who do not have the power to negotiate their freedom to the use of protection e.g. condoms end up as victims of this deadly virus. This article does not however provide the past statistics of the prevalence and other mitigation measure to culture. It focuses more on choices of sexual behavior but who has the final say? This will assist the study in showing the gaps that need to be filled. Marcus, R. (1993). Gender and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Malawi and Uganda-Institute of Development Studies Brighton. The report by Rachel Marcus and other authors for the center of development studies university college Swansea, gives a detailed historical relation of HIV/aids and culture, with respect to Malawi and Uganda, the report enumerates on social epidemiological status of HIV/AIDS in Malawi and Uganda. The authors have indicated the transmission routes, current prevalence of the disease and the disparity in gender with respect to the disease. The report further highlights prevention mechanisms that have been employed in Uganda and Malawi; it goes further to detail the formation of governmental bodies to deal with the spread of the disease. The missing element however in the report is the effect in which cultural practices have had in either spreading or curbing the disease, culture and cultural practices have been demonstrated to play a huge role in the disease spread. The report was useful in detailing the role of masculinity and femininity in a family set-up with respect to sexuality in married couples; it explains who has a greater role and say. A recommendation was given to further improve the quality of care that patients who are infected received. It was also further enumerated that clear practical prevention strategies be developed and implemented, it was noted that the only way to deal with the spread of the disease was to prevent it. Dennis, P. & Becker, C. (2006). The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, in a historical perspective, online edition. This online book details a historical perspective of HIV/AIDS particularly to South Africa. The book is precisely seeking to illustrate HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa as not purely a biomedical problem but rather a social, economical problem, and that the spread of HIV in this region, was not merely due to its nature as a communicable disease, but rather a disease that its spread was enhanced by societal problems. The book identifies that in dealing with the disease, handling its medical aspect only and leaving out the social aspects of communities will not serve much in derailing further spread of the deadly disease. Uchudi, J. Magadi, M. & Mostazir, M. (2010). A multilevel analysis of the determinants of high risk sexual behavior (multiple sexual partners) in sub-Saharan Africa, sponsored by the UK medical council. This research paper is very useful in detailing the African cultural view of multiple partner marriages, polygamy, as an activity that was and is still widely practiced in the region. In its implication and role in HIV/AIDS, the paper examines the influence of social and cultural context in men‘s and women‘s involvement in multiple sexual partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa, above and beyond the effects of individual characteristics. The findings provide support to the ecological argument that health behaviors are shaped and determined by societal conditions, in addition to the effects of individual and household characteristics. Involvement with multiple sex partners is significantly most likely among men and women who live in societies in which early sexual debut or polygyny is most prevalent. The effects of individual characteristics suggest that increases in human and social capital skills are not necessarily associated with socially conservative and healthful sexual behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper goes further to highlight the power of money, financial autonomy and superiority as a magnet to women, hence enhancing multiple partner culture; women are known to readily accept a man who poses some kind of status in society. Read More