HIV AIDS In The South Essay Example for Free

human immunodeficiency virus assist In The siemens EssayAcquired repellent deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a killer malady caused by the human immune deficiency computer virus (human immunodeficiency virus) which affects ones immune system making them susceptible to opportunistic diseases that they knuckle under to. A person is said to be suffering from AIDS when the human immunodeficiency virus has agreed their immune system triggering inveterate fevers, constant diarrhea, significant unexplained weight losses, night sweats as well as bootless glands and thrush. (Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). human immunodeficiency virus is thought to lead started spreading as early as the late 70s though official statistics bring in it that it was first recognized in 1981 in the US. The origin of the virus remain unclear with somewhat arguing that it originated from the outer space, was artificially created, escaped from a laboratory or it is a natural virus that initially affected ape like creatures before it found its way to humans. (Johnson P, 2007). human immunodeficiency virus spread widely to some other divisions and today it is deemed as a world pandemic with over 40 million populate give globally. Sadly, about 4 to 5 million pot are infected with the virus annually while over 25 million mess fix so further succumbed to it.To date there is no known cure for HIV AIDS though scientific knowledge micturate led to the usage of antiretroviral which work to prolong the life span of those infected. A unique cypher about HIV is the fact that one can stay for as long as a decade without exhibiting any symptom that they are sick, a period in which they can infect others. As a matter of fact some research findings have it that the spread of HIV is more intemperate in the latent period. (Irwin A, Millen J and Fal bases D, 2003). It is difficult to give the exact figures of those infected as many people have not been tried but one approach used by epidemi ologists is estimation.Specific groups such as pregnant women, prisoners, people joining the military service and patients in the varied states are tested and CDC uses these estimates to approximate the number of people infected with the virus while putting into account peoples behavioral changes. (Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). Although no biological links have been found to explain why some races are more susceptible to acquiring the virus in the US, b insufficiencys and the Hispanics are more affected than the whites. dauntless people or homosexuals as well as those abusing drugs through injection are excessively at a high jeopardize of acquiring the virus.A research established that roughly, half the infected persons were merry men while over 20% were drug corruptrs who used infected needles. People engaging in unsafe sexual intercourse with many partners are withal at a higher(prenominal) lay on the line of contracting the virus. (Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). A uni que factor about HIV AIDS is the fact that foreign other fatal diseases which are airborne and hence contagious it cannot be transmitted through a handshake or sneezing. Again, though some traces of the virus can be found on saliva, snap and sweat it cannot be transferred through these modes.It can also not be passed on through biting louse bites as the virus only survives in humans. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). HIV is passed on through bear on with contaminated body fluids through anal, oral or coital sex, interjectory drug abuse, mother to child during alliance as well as through breastfeeding. Precautionary measures during and after birth have been adopted to anticipate the mother to child transmission and much progress have been made. This makes the containment of the HIV manageable as peoples behaviors play a vital role in curbing its spread. Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008).Susan, Kristin and Kathryn in HIV infection and Aids in the secret south n oted that there are many discrepancies in the manner at which HIV AIDS trends are registered in the US. The southern region of the US which comprises of 16 states namely Virginia, North and federation Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, Washington, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Oklahoma registers higher rank when compared to other states. (Reif S, Geonnotti, Whetten K. 2006).Variances are also evident among the varying states with some recording higher range than others. Some states record similar trends in as farthest as HIV and AIDS infections are concerned for instance North and randomness Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana register similar trends. The term Deep South was coined to describe those states that had a tarradiddle in agriculture especially in cotton as well as slave trade. These states have disproportionately been affected by the HIVAIDS pandemic in the USA. 2000-2003 statistics have it that in th is region HIVAIDS infection raised by up to 35. % while the rate in other states in the south were as low as 4% and the national rate with an exception of the southern states s similarlyd at 5. 2%. (Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K, 2006). The prevailing conditions in the South can be blamed on various factors such as piteous wellness conditions as can be bore witness by the poor health indicators in the region. triple states in this region recorded the highest death range, highest rates for diabetes, stroke, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and Chlamydia as well as infant mortality rates.The Deep South region which has the highest prevalence rate for HIV infections is largely predominated by African Americans. (Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K. 2006). Other characteristics of the Deep South region include high rates of illiteracy as many do not graduate from colleges. Most people in the Deep South region also have no health insurance which can be explained by the high er rates of poor health indicators. The levels of indigence and unemployment are higher in the Deep South region when compared with the other regions in the US.Higher rates of unemployment mean that the rates of poverty are higher and this is true both at an individual as well as at the family level. Higher rates of HIV infections in the Deep South region were recorded among women as well as African Americans. (Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K. 2006). The higher rates of sexual transmitted diseases in the Deep South are thought to have a relationship or link with the high rates of HIV infections in the region. This is attributed to the fact that health check experts argue that sexually transmitted diseases have a role to play in as far as the facilitating of the virus spread is concerned.Lack of accessibility to quality health apportion services among these people is also thought to play a significant role in spreading the virus. (Ellerbrock V et al, 2004). sociological theories ar gue that man is a social being and does not exist in a vacuum. unitys surrounding predisposes a person to behaving in a certain manner. Values, norms and expectations of the society are passed on from one generation to the next through the various socializing agents such as schools, families, peers and mass media as well as through religion. (Andersen M and Taylor H, 2001).Peoples surroundings also play a vital role in determining their behaviors. In poverty stricken areas the effectiveness of schools in loss on values will be compromised triggering bad behavior such as drug abuse and carefree lifestyles. Poverty also leads to innovation where people adopt illegal federal agency to attaining the societal values. harlotry for instance is a clear illustration of a failing society which states is material success mark commonly know as the American Dream but fails to offer clear overturn means to attaining it especially to the disadvantaged groups. Andersen M and Taylor H, 2001).P overty triggers higher rates of HIV infection as it denies the poor a chance to access vital health information that would ensure that certain diseases were prevented. Public health education is in most cases done in the health care facilitates and those who cannot access them are cut off. Some may also not understand the mode of communication used due to illiteracy triggered by poverty. Poverty is also associated with desperation and hopelessness which sees people engage in drug and other substance abuse which predisposes them to contracting the virus.People who abuse drugs risk contracting HIV especially when contaminated needles are used. Another risk that makes drugs increase the tendency of one contracting the virus is the fact that they compromise ones reasoning ability and consequently may see them engage in unfounded behaviors such as unsafe sexual intercourse with many partners whose status is unknown. (Ellerbrock V et al, 2004). In call of racial background one can argue that the region is disadvantaged in the sense that it is comprised of more African Americans, a race known for lack of health insurance as well as higher poverty rates.Many African Americans are poor and this places them at a higher risk in as far as contracting HIV is concerned. Discrimination especially in captivity of African Americans in the Deep South precipitates concurrent sexual practices which in turn paves way for HIV AIDS. (Adimora A and Schoenbach J, 2002). Young African American women as well as others from the disadvantaged communities are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Poverty could drive them into prostitution where they may not have the chance to negotiate for safer sex.In most cases women have been identified as the weaker sex and consequently they have no say in the male dominated society. Biologically women are at a higher chance of contracting HIV than men as the vagina is more receptive to substances than the male penis. Poverty leads to lack of p roper education which is essential if educational programs on health are to be successful unknowledgeable people also tend to be ignorant and this predisposes them to HIV. Provision of preventive programs is impossible in the poverty stricken regions thus precipitating the high rates of HIV AIDS in the Deep South region.People from the Deep South who have been infected with the virus will develop AIDS readily due to the inaccessibility of health care services. (Ellerbrock V et al, 2004). HIV AIDS prevalence also varies with geographical regions in terms rural versus urban regions with the former recording higher rates than the later. People in the rural areas encounter more difficulties when trying to access quality health care services as opposed to those in the urban areas.This hinders them accessibility to preventive programs such as the educative or informatory programs that would have seen them reduce their chances or acquiring the HIV virus. The rural areas record lower ch ances of attaining or sort of accessing health care professionals and they also have problems accessing treatment making their conditions worse. People in the rural areas are consequently forced to travel to the urban areas to seek medical services and some are too poor that the transportation costs are a burden to them. (Adimora A et al, 2004).The Deep South region is also known to have higher rates of stigmatization with the HIV AIDS, a factor that sees the rates of HIV escalate. The belief that people belong to a specified social status which cannot be changed also plays a role in cementing the spread of HIV, given the fact that poverty has a quick tie with HIV prevalence rates. Some people in the Deep South have a strong distrust with their health care systems a factor that also contributes to higher prevalence rates of HIV AIDS as they will not respect the advices offered by their health care providers. Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K, 2006). HIV AIDS in the South has remained higher than in the other states in the US due to many factors. Since the disease is not airborne but is spread through various intimate body contacts, mother to child or through the use of contaminated needles it can be effectively managed if people adopted absolute behaviors. Reducing the number of sex partners that one has, war on drugs, and proper accessibility to health care facilities would be of significance in as far as the fight against HIV AIDS is concerned.