ADDRESSING HIV & AIDS
UNIT 2 SECTION 6 CASE
Unit 2, section 6: Case STUDIES IN PREVENTION
studies in prevention and care AND CARE STIGMA THROUGH
EDUCATION
Welcome to the last section of unit 2. In section 5 we discussed human
rights issues on HIV and AIDS. We found that PLHIV have had their rights
violated in many situations. It came to light that those living with the virus
and the disease do not have recourse in addressing these issues. In this last
section we are going to look at some case studies on HIV and AIDS
prevention and care.
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
study and outline the key issues in each case study;
state and examine the import of each case study; and
show the relevance of each case study to the prevention and care of
HIV and AIDS victims.
Now read on……
Case 1
Cindy has been diagnosed HIV positive after being continuously sick for
three months. She is still able to work as a teacher, so she continues to
receive her salary. However, her medical bills take quite a lot out of her
salary. This means at times she cannot meet all her needs including food.
She lives in a house with her two children, aged ten and twelve years. They
have a large backyard that can be used to do a lot of things.
After her diagnosis, she has had several bouts of diarrhoea. When she has
the diarrhoea, it is her 12-year old daughter who cleans her up and washes
her clothes. The girl does not use gloves when she cleans and cares for the
mother.
1. How can Cindy and her children use the backyard to create wealth for
themselves?
2. How can the girl protect herself from being infected by the bodily
fluids of her mother?
Your answers may include:
1. Having a back yard garden to raise rabbits, goats, sheep, ‘grass-
cutters’, fowls etc. Fencing up part of the land and growing vegetables.
2. The girl should wrap her hands with plastic materials when she cleans
her mother. If possible she should soak her mother’s soiled clothes and
sheets in bleach for at least thirty minutes before washing them. She
should cover all cuts and abrasions on her hands with adhesive tape
(plaster) before attending to her mother.
Case 2
Nyameke, lives in a small village along the coast. About six years ago a
foreign visitor visited the village and became a friend of his. The man
provided Nyameke with all his needs and a lot of money.
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ADDRESSING HIV & AIDS
STIGMA THROUGH
EDUCATION Unit 2, section 6: Case studies in prevention and care
With time they became sex partners since Nyameke stood the chance of
losing all he had gained should he refuse the sexual advances of his friend.
The visitor paid yearly visits to the village and their sexual escapades
continued. Last year the visitor could not make the trip because he was
seriously ill. For the past year, Nyameke has been ill on and off for periods
ranging from a few weeks to a whole month. Three months ago, his friends
took him to the District Hospital where he was diagnosed as HIV-positive.
His CD4 cells count was so low that he was put on anti-retroviral therapy.
One of his friends has asked the sister to care for Nyameke. Nyameke has
become depressed and has recoiled into his shell.
a. List and explain what Nyameke’s friends can do to help him come out
of that state.
b. Do you know of any NGO where Nyameke could seek advice and
support?
c. Apart from taking his medication, list and explain four other things he
has to do to stay alive.
d. Everyone in Nyameke’s village knows about his status; how can he
help in the HIV prevention activities in the village?
Activity 6.1
1. You have been invited as a key speaker at an HIV and AIDS
programme. The topic for your speech is HIV and AIDS and how to
manage it.
Write out your speech basing it on the following headings: What is
HIV and AIDS, modes of transmission, preventive methods and how
to care for a PLHIV.
2. Alidu’s wife died three years ago and it is rumoured that she died of
AIDS. Alidu has gone on to marry Abiba. Of late Alidu has been sick
on and off and has lost quite a lot of weight. A visit to the district
hospital reveals that he has AIDS.
List and explain one important action you would like Abiba to
take.
Explain to Abiba how she can prevent infection. If she is already
infected how can she prevent re-infection?
Explain how she can care for Alidu to give him hope to carry on.
3. A young enterprising bank worker has been diagnosed HIV positive.
He believes that is the end of the road for him.
What will you say to convince him that all is not lost but that he can
manage his status and continue to work?
Present your work at the next face to face.
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ADDRESSING HIV & AIDS
STIGMA THROUGH
Unit 2, section 6: Case studies in prevention and care EDUCATION
We have come to the end of Unit 5. We hope you have learned a lot and
now will be empathetic to those who are infected and affected by HIV and
AIDS.
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