CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become one of the most troublesome public health issues in the world. Its mere occurrence has developed stigma and discrimination which have been identified as the major obstacles in the way of dealing effective responses to people living with HIV. A disadvantage stemming from stigma goes beyond what are often understood as discriminatory actions and expressions like social rejection, intolerance, avoidance, discrimination, stereotyping and violence (Parker & Aggleton, 2003).
Stigma is identified as an important factor that affects the quality of life of people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Negative attitudes affect people living with HIV (PLHIV)
…show more content…
Extra standard precautions like wearing double gloves while doing intravenous cannula insertion or inserting foley catheter are sometimes observed among healthcare professionals. Inadvertent comments about the patient’s possible sexual practice are sometimes noted. With this, the researcher intends to explore other discriminatory practices that currently exist which are more culture specific and to know the level of stigma within the area. It is for this reason that the study will be conducted to further identify corrective actions or measures through research-based policy formulation which aims to minimize or eliminate discrimination and stigmatization among patients with HIV.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It harms the immune system by destroying the white blood cells that fight infection. This puts the person at risk for serious infections and certain cancers. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final stage of infection with HIV. However, not everyone with HIV develops AIDS. HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. It may also be acquired by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person.
Stigma and
…show more content…
S&D in the context of HIV/AID is unique when compared to other infectious and communicable diseases. It tends to create a “hidden epidemic” of the disease based on socially-shared ignorance, fear, misinformation, and denial. S&D lead to identity crises, isolation, loneliness, low self-esteem and lack of interest in containing HIV-AIDS. It also leads to lack of motivation to practice prevention. Fear of S&D limits the efficacy of HIV-testing programs because it prevents individuals from taking an HIV test and leads to reduced care seeking
As well as Preston’s point of view that AIDS also must be taken under considerations because the AIDS symptoms progress slowly, onset of the disease usually occurs in adulthood, and it might be asymptomatic that can be as lethal as the Ebola
In the article “Accessing Treatments: Managing the AIDS Epidemic in Ontario in Knowledge, Experience& Ruling Relations” by George W. Smith, the author pointed out how the ideology and social construction of common knowledge about AIDS influence the treatment for those patients negatively. Smith believed the general public and government have been lack of sufficient knowledge about AIDS, the AIDS patients and the government, the organization who providing the treatment are disconnected. There are still lots of people think AIDS is fatal illness disease and mainly caused by homosexuality. Smith thinks the lack of treatment for AIDS is basically due to the homophobia, labeling and prejudices formed by the public and mass media, and the government
When taking an oath to be a pharmacist, an EMT, or a physician, one takes an oath to serve humanity. Although there is no common law, each individual profession’s code of ethics has a similar purpose, which is to act as a guideline on the professional relationships between colleagues, patients, and others served. The code of ethics is a standard for all individuals in the profession, however there are instances where a person’s individual beliefs may be of conflict, and prevent the adherence of such guidelines. Although the rights of these individuals may be protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), there is a responsibility as a medical professional to assist the patients, whether it be directly or indirectly. As health
Aids Affects Everyone, Not just Poor On August 19, 1992, a silent killer was bought forth during the National Republican Party convention in Houston, Texas. Mary Fisher, an AIDS activist, wrote an eloquent speech about what it’s like to be infected with the silent killer—AIDS. Fisher, one of the victims of this killer, delivered to the convention information and education about who the AIDS victims are. She uses persuasive authority supporting her position by telling the nation about the silent killer—AIDS. She announced that she was not the usual suspect attacked by this killer disease.
Fischer calls out all the stereotypes that were associated with being HIV positive when she states “In the context of an election year, I ask you-here, in this great hall, or listening in the quiet of your home-to recognize that the AIDS virus is not a political creature. It does not care whether you are Democrat or Republican. It does not ask whether you are black or white, male or female, gay or straight, young or old. “ Her reasoning is both convincing and all inclusive. While she states that the virus is not a political creature she uses words that are meant to scare her audience into action.
In the reading by Peter Redman, he raises the argument that the ‘AIDS carrier” becomes the central representation of the HIV epidemic and how the representations of HIV cannot be narrowed down to one cause. In addition, the ‘AIDS carrier’ is represented as monster and the carrier spreads HIV from the deviant subpopulations to the mainstream. Also, AIDS has been connected to social and moral issues and singles out groups like gay men, black people, and young single women. These groups are then viewed as diseased subpopulations and that causes others to feel disgust and panic. The heterosexual men are then afraid to have physical or emotional contact with men in general and that’s why boundaries of heterosexual masculinity were produced.
Ignorance is not a choice when it comes to another person’s life there are many who are misinformed about HIV and AIDS and not only does this make things more complicated to decrease the percentages of this worldwide epidemic, but those who refuse to get tested just because they are afraid or ashamed of the outcome are only making things worse for themselves and others because the disease will soon turn into the AID virus. “But ignorance cannot be used to rationalize irresponsibility. Nowhere in their argument is there a concern about how such ignorance might endanger public health by exposing others to the virus.” (Gaylin 70). Gaylin states, “It may seem unfair to burden the tragic victims with concern for the welfare of others.”
The AIDS epidemic began in the 1980’s and the effects of it were seen all around the globe. Each country led their own unique approach to preventing and curing AIDS, and some strategies worked better than others. The Australian response to AIDS can be considered world leading due to their multifaceted approach against the disease. Australia was successful in educating all people while simultaneously researching ways to cure the disease. Australia made a concerted effort to fight the both the physical disease itself, as well as the social stigma associated with it.
The commonly accepted explanation of the origin of AIDS is that the disease came from chimpanzees who were carrying Simmian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV). SIV is very similar in many aspects to HIV and these similarities led to SIV being accepted as a predecessor to HIV. The first AIDS strain, L70 was identified in 1959 in the Belgian Congo. It is though that the first human to contract AIDs became infected when they were cleaning bushmeat to eat. The infected person then spread the disease through the expulsion of their bodily fluids.
Society is shaped by a number of different forces and factors. Inevitably, these forces come together to construct the life of the individual. In this essay, C.W. Mills’ sociological imagination will be discussed. A personal problem,homosexuality, and a social issue, homosexuality, will be highlighted. In concluding the essay, a reflection on the usefulness of the sociological imagination will be offered.
HIV is virus that affects the immune system making a person more vulnerable to infections or disease. HIV has also been linked to AIDs an auto immune disease that also affects a person’s immune system. The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) states the people with HIV are at a higher risk of getting the TB disease. Because the people who are infected with HIV have slower Immune system making them more at risk of catching TB. During the 1980’s there was a surge of immigrants coming to the United States that ranged from about "3 million to 5 million immigrants” from 1980 to 1986.
Introduction Qualitative research are those kind of researches that an outcome is obtained without the application of statistical methods of data analysis (Strauss and Corbin, 1990 cited in Golafshani, 2003). However, the qualitative research takes a direct approach, where the researchers arrive at a conclusion through the observation of events as they occur naturally without external interferences (Golafshani, 2003). Ethical and methodological issues may arise, therefore in order to demonstrate the legitimacy of Qualitative research it is important to integrate rigour and trustworthiness. Potential ethical issues There is the need to take into consideration ethical issues that may arise from conducting qualitative researches.
Due to the lack of adherence, the social worker became aware that her clients’ medical issues had increased. Not only has their health been negatively affected, but their life span has been shortened. Keywords: evidence base, male clients, HIV/AIDS, adhering, antiretroviral medication Issues
HIV is transmitted through exchanges of bodily fluids via blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. Behaviors that promote risk to transmit HIV are unprotected anal and vaginal sex, sharing needles- injection drug use, piercing/ tattooing, insulin, hormone and vitamin shot, acupuncture and breastfeeding. Airborne, dermal, saliva exchange and other casual contacts with an HIV-positive person have been proven as
Learnt Experiences Reflecting on professional values also encouraged me to change my personal values or beliefs about other areas: my perception about how illness is treated, in particular mental illness, as I noted in my (PREXI reflection) and my interest in Black and minority groups, Another issues I found from the rigorous research I also found that in some cultures stigma was attached to mental illness which delays the process of treatment. This is another topic I am a passionate about from my academic research and imparted knowledge from my tutors there is awareness that some professionals misuse their power within these groups as well as marginalize Black and minority groups within health and social care setting for examples. Black African and Caribbean people are three times as likely to be admitted to hospital and up to 44% more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act as white people Mental health staff, including psychiatrists, are more likely to perceive these groups as being potentially dangerous, even when there is no evidence which shows that they