AIDS: No Cure Yet, But Antiretroviral Therapy Can Help - Essay Sample

Introduction

AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is also referred to as late-stage or advanced HIV; Human Immunodeficiency Virus. AIDS occurs as a combination of illness and symptoms developing following the advancement of the HIV infection. It mostly results when HIV has caused destruction to one's immune system. The disease has no cure and has, therefore, claimed the lives of many people infected with it (Arrey et al., 20160. However, there are drugs, Antiretroviral Therapy, which helps to control the symptoms in the health of the infected individual. A patient of AIDS eventually dies after some period, which depends on the extent to which their immune system has been affected.

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Significance/Prevalence of the Selected Health Issue in the Country Selected

There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia where there is a high epidemic among the subpopulations and the geographic areas. According to Reepalu et al. (2016), infection is considerably high with a constant rate of 1.4 percent overall prevalence rate. HIV/AIDS mostly fall between the ages of 15 to 49 years. Statistics show that the number of people suffering from the disease in the country is nearly 1.2 million. The rate of adult prevalence is also continuing rise and has currently been reported to be at 2.4%

Impact

Influence of Social Determents of Health for the Topic/Country

The considerable social determinants of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia are poverty and drug abuse. There is a high level of poverty in the country which as influenced many youths to resort to commercial sex work so that they can get some income for sustenance. Besides, drug and alcohol abuse is also another cause as it leads to irresponsible sexual activities whereby some get infected as a result. Moreover, the use of the same drug injectors has also contributed to the spread of the disease in the country.

Influence of Culture for Topic/Country Medical Decision Making/Health Care/Etc.

Culture has a significant role in determining the medical decisions towards HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. For example, there are beliefs in the patterns of spread whereby some regions are regarded as cursed relative to others (Arrey et al., 20160. As a result, some victims of the diseases are instead blamed, and this leads to stigmatization. Therefore, many do not go for treatment, as they believe that illness is more of misfortune and not viral. Besides, in some areas, people prefer traditional medicine which; however, do not work well like the ARVs.

Influence of the Country’s Health System & Policies on the Identified Health Issue

Ethiopia is one of the countries in the sub-Saharan region with the mostly rural-based and highly impoverished population. Susuman (2015) argued that the community suffers a significant level of health service. Consequently, there are limited healthcare resources to take care of the AIDS patients, which also led to a high rate of death following the prevalence of the disease. Besides, the healthcare system does not cover the food service requirement, which should inform the dietary needs of HIV/AIDS patients.

Impact of This Issue on Global Health

HIV/AIDS has adversely affected global health in many ways. For instance, the infection of diseases leads to other infectious health conditions. As a result, the world is currently characterized by severe health conditions in significant in many regions across the globe (Reepalu et al., 2016). Besides, food security is another effect of HIV/AIDS infection, which is a potential cause of malnutrition, which is a potential issue experienced in many countries in the world.

How the Selected Issue Impacts Current and Future Global Health Care Needs

The occurrence and the associated effects of the disease demand significant adjustments in the current and global health care needs. This is because the illness is life-threatening and has the potential of negatively affecting the health of the world population. Concerning the goals towards achieving proper healthcare needs, there is a need to venture in health-based intervention in efforts which may bring up the developing countries to help control the spread and symptoms of the disease.

References

Arrey, A., Bilsen, J., Lacor, P., & Deschepper, R. (2016). Spirituality/Religiosity: A Cultural and Psychological Resource among Sub-Saharan African Migrant Women with HIV/AIDS in Belgium. PLOS ONE, 11(7), e0159488. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159488

Reepalu, A., Balcha, T., Skogmar, S., Guner, N., Sturegard, E., & Bjorkman, P. (2016). Factors Associated with Early Mortality in HIV-Positive Men and Women Investigated for Tuberculosis at Ethiopian Health Centers. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0156602. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156602

Susuman, A. (2015). HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: Health View. Journal Of Asian And African Studies, 52(3), 302-313. DOI: 10.1177/0021909615570957