Impact of Communities on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)



Impact of Communities on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Introduction

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is an incurable condition, once a person becomes HIV positive. Though a lot of research is being done, no definite cure has been found as yet. Therefore, the only safety against the spread of this disease is prevention (ILO, 2002). As the disease is a communal disease and majorly spreads through unprotected and irresponsible sex, infected blood transfusions and use of infected needles or instruments used by medical personnel such as doctors, nurses, dentists or barbers, etc (Mayer, 2009). However, the prime source of disease spread is a cultural, social and behavioral problem in a community. This makes the community role and behavior in control of the disease spread which becomes the key to saving the members of a community from AIDS (UNAIDS, 2011).

HIV in African American Communities

Compared to 2001, the overall prevalence rate of HIV in people aged 15-49 remained stable (0.8%), but looking at the specific geographical situations there are increases in the Middle East and North America, East America, Oceania, Eastern Europe and Central Asia and North Africa. Overall, compared to 2001, in 2009, new HIV infections have decreased from 3.1000000 to 2.6000000 (UNAIDS, 2011). In seven Asian countries, HIV prevalence has raised by 25% during 2001 and 2009. The HIV virus seems; however, go back to being aggressive among homosexual men in several advanced countries and in Eastern American and Central Asia among people who use drugs by injection and their sexual partners.

In 2009, sub-Saharan Africa, the region most severely affected by HIV, there were 1.8 million new HIV infections, with a significant reduction since 2001. In this area, 22.5 million people living with HIV and it are here ...