HIV Other Pandemics Notes
HIV Other Pandemics Notes
HIV Other Pandemics Notes
COMMON DISEASES
TYPES OF COMMON DISEASES
CAUSES OF COMMON DISEASES
IMPACT OF DISEASES ON DEVELOPMENT
INTERVENTION MEASURES ON COMMON DISEASES
(b). AIDS
A – means Acquired i.e. the virus is caught from some one else who already has it then it enters
the body and begins to work down the number of CD cells / immune system.
I – immune; i.e. relating to the body defence systems (immune system)
D – Deficiency; immune system is weakened and becomes deficient i.e. it fails to do its work i.e.
to protect the body from diseases.
S – Syndrome; i.e. variety of different symptoms and illnesses. The grouping of well recognized
illnesses connected with AIDS makes AIDS a syndrome.
AIDS is caused by extremely tiny germs known ass HIV, the virus can be seen with naked eye
and its presence may only be known through testing i.e. most people who are infected by the
virus may go about infecting others knowingly or unknowingly.
Note:
Remember many other diseases have similar characteristics as AIDS.
A sign is what you can see as a result of a disease in a person e.g. skin rash, paleness of the body
etc.
Symptoms are conditions that you cannot see but a person suffering will feel or tell you e.g.
pain, body fatigue etc.
Facts, myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS
Different individuals hold different views about HIV and AIDS. These views vary from one
place to another in Africa.
Traditional Africa view about AIDS illness
1. It is seen as an illness resulting from breaking of spiritual and or temporary relationship
2. AIDS illness is almost always impost on one by another e.g. through witchcraft
3. AIDS is seen
Facts
Facts about HIV / AIDS have been scientifically proven since the discovery of the disease since
1980’s. The facts are:-
1. HIV/AIDS is not a disease in itself but it is not a debilitating condition resulting from
opportunistic condition
2. HIV/AIDS is real in human beings
3. AIDS kills
4. AIDS has no cure
5. It is spread from one person to another
N/B: AIDS kills within 6 months - 15 years depending on ones nutrition, activity, social
placement, immunity etc.
Myths and misconceptions
1. AIDS is a disease resulting from breaking traditional and spiritual laws
2. AIDS is witch craft
3. AIDS is caused by evil spirits
4. It is a misfortune on people who are persistently disobedient
5. It is tragic consequence of diversion from social norms
6. It is a punishment from the evil spirits fro breaking rules or committing abomination e.g.
incest
7. AIDS is a curse
8. Some people believe that AIDS is cured by witchdoctors
9. You sleep with a virgin then you are healed
10. You drink your won urine
11. It can be cured through local herbs
Biblical issues on HIV / AIDS
Some religions regard HIV/AIDS as a disease which is caused as a result of complete
disobedience to God’s law (2 Tim 3: 1 – 5), Deut 28)
Sin, suffering and sickness e.g. AIDS is because of lack of repentance
AIDS may be caused by God to bring about repentance
AIDS is used by God as a disciplinary rod in the lives of the believers
AIDS is a judgement from God after the violation of God’s holy nature
AIDS is a sign of end times
Impact of HIV/AIDS on various sectors
AIDS/STDs are common amongst the low income earners, poor or amongst those who have low
socio – economic conditions. AIDS like any other communicable disease has translated into 3 rd
disease. The poor people in the 3 world bear the greater brunt of the impact.
rd
Factors influencing the impacts (why low socio – economic conditions promote spread of
STI and STDs
1. High employment resulting into migration – migration means separation i.e. being
separated from natural needs like sex and intimacy resulting into multi – partners.
2. Women are forced to sell themselves (parking ladies)
3. Inaccessibility to health facilities
4. Crime and violence which is often common in the poor neighbourhood
5. Poor education and low literacy levels helped to keep people ignorant of the ways and
means to avoid diseases like AIDS.
6. Breakdown of the usual traditional customs, beliefs, cultural practices in the community.
These practices determine the accepted sexual behaviour and constraints in society.
7. Relationship between men an women also suffer; women are often exploited and they
have more inferior status than men; they don’t control their sexual life.
8. Poverty also makes sexual exploitation on women to be worse and this contributes further
to spread of AIDS.
9. Other factors influencing people’s sexual behaviour are drug and alcoholism, conflict,
unrest e.g. IDPs; friends and mass media influence
PACC
DACC
CACC
12. Provision of free primary education of bursaries for orphans
13. Provision of legal framework that is friendly to those fighting HIV and AIDS but is deterrent
to those who may want to deliberately affect others
14. Condom promotion
15. Mitigating against the effect of HIV e.g. provision of food, diagnosis of STDs, housing etc.
16. Provision of counseling services
17. Empowerment of women
18. Policies of blood transfusion, screening and organ transplants
19. Giving priorities to orphans in employment
20. Subsidizing the cost of hospitalization for patients
21. Fighting stigmatization and sterilization
Challenges to preventing HIV/AIDS
1. Inadequate quality awareness of the impacts of HIV/AIDS; surveys indicate that the public are
inadequately aware of the impacts of the scourge on orphans, families, productivity etc.
2. Existing cultural practices i.e. cultural ideologies and social ideologies based on traditions e.g.
witchcraft, superstition, marital practices e.g. polygamy and wife inheritance.
3. Inadequate resources i.e. lack of funds, medical facilities e.g. beds, screening facilities
4. Legal and ethical constraints; there is no proper law regarding
Mode of reporting on HIV/AIDS and testing the victims
No law about contract of the employer’s “PLWAS”
No law regarding blood screening and blood products
No law regarding insurance of HIV zero positive persons
Mercy killing of patient
Strategies in preventing and controlling HIV/AIDS
All the strategies for intervention must take into account the cultural, economic resources and the
legal constraints identified above. The strategies should include:
1.Cultural re - education i.e. mobilizing, sensitizing the community on the dignity and virtue of
safe sex, traditional virtues and embarrassing behaviour like virginity before marriage, restrain
from pre-marital sex among the youths.
2. Stressing the use of condoms against HIV and unwanted pregnancies
3. Encourage each partner to undertake regular counseling even amongst the married
4. Discourage traditional practices and habits
5. Avoid sexual intercourse after alcohol consumptions
6. Encouraging sporting and entertainment activity
7. Raise employment opportunities to reduce prostitution
8. Promotion of public awareness in learning institutions, print Medias, barazas, churches etc.
9. Formation of community organizations and committees to initiate hone grown measures
Skills in prevention and control of HIV/AIDS
Given the complexity of the socio-economic circumstances under which people contract the HIV
virus, it is important that people are adequately equipped with life skills that can enable them
deal with the pressures exerted by the circumstances.
This requires that they have a clear understanding and possession of key life skills.
Life skills are ability or psycho-social competencies that help individuals to operate or cope
effectively with the challenges of everyday’s life.
There are 3 categories of life skills namely:
1. Skills dealing and coping with one’s self
2. Skills dealing and coping with others
3. Skills fro making effective decisions
The life skills under each category is a s follows
Skills to do with one’s self
(a). Self awareness (f). Coping with your emotions
(b). self value (g). Coping with stress
(c). Self acceptance (h). Goal setting
(d). Confidence (i). Time management
(e). Assertiveness
Skills to cope with others
(a).Interpersonal relationships
(b). Development of good friendship
(c). Advocate for change
(d). Solve conflicts peacefully and amicably
Skills of making effective decision
This is meant for
Self achievement of goals in life
Helps in having responsible and informed decisions in life
Solve problem situations effectively
Activities aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS
1. Health education to the public through songs, media, drama etc
2. Sensitizing community on healthy behaviour (habits and practices)
3. Opening of VCTs
4. Provision of condoms
5. Training of service providers on Home Based Care (HBC)
6. Distribution of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs)
7. Production and dissemination of information, Education and communication materials (IEC)
8. Home Based Care programmes at all community levels
9. Training of counselors
10. Mobilization of community to form peer education network within the community at all
levels
11. Condom social marketing i.e. teaching people on safe and proper use of condom and
promotion
12. Referral services for those seeking VCT, for the infected and the affected
13. Enhancing sporting activities
14. Mobilize the community to maximize their resources in preventing STDs
15. Initiation of income generating activities
16. Training of circumcisers, traditional birth attendance and traditional healers
17. Encouraging public declaration of HIV/AIDS status. This helps in:
Mobilizing resources
Prevention and transmission
Helps to get support
Psycho-social analysis
Helps in awareness creation
TOPIC VI: HIV AND AIDS MANAGEMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT OF INFECTED
AND AFFECTED
There are many challenges that people living with HIV/AIDS normally face in the community.
Those affected families also face to large extent challenges of those infected.
Those affected include widows, widowers, orphans, family/ relatives, employers, friends etc.
These individuals or groups need to be supported in many ways including:
1. Psycho-social support i.e. counseling, visitation, moral support and mutual support
2. Material support; giving of items e.g. shelter, clothing, food
3. Medicare; giving of treatment and drugs e.g. using ARVs and other drugs to suppress
opportunistic infections
4. Nutrition; give balanced diet to enhance body immunity e.g. eating well etc. This will boost
the body and proper functioning of ARVs.
5. Physical exercise; for People living with Aids to strengthen and to enhance their physical well
being.
6. Spiritual support; provides hope and certainty, talk to them about God.