HIV/AIDS Epidemic

HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Introduction

The HIV/AIDS Epidemic is a significant global phenomenon since it was first reported in the US in the 1980s. There exist numerous conflicting theories and believes concerning the virus and how it originated. Since it was reported it about 30 years and still the virus is seen to puzzle the scientists remaining a significant concern. Countless arguments and fierce debates about possible vaccine program, theories behind its origin as well as homosexual lifestyle. HIV/AIDS is real, and it affects anyone regardless of their sexual orientation, age, sex, and race. Over the last decade, the spread of HIV/AIDS epidemics has increased rapidly, calming the lives of so many people in the world. For those who do not die and live with the virus, they experience so much stigma from the current society. However, there has been advancement since it was reported, the world in no longer the same. It now easy for one to get a variety of preventions, access testing, and treatment, among other options, with the introduction of pre-exposure prophylaxis of PrEP. These services, among others like public awareness, are so prevalent today, and they reach society. HIV/AIDS epidemics cannot be ignored, more advancements towards treating the disease need to be made. This essay will discuss the various progress that has been made and the one proposed since the disease was reported in America. This work will further outline the contribution of medical social workers in controlling the spread of this disease..

Since the HIV/AIDS Epidemic was reported, it has been a long journey full of different phases of this epidemic. Scientists have at the forefront to try and get away to treat the disease, but despite their efforts, they have not developed something convincing enough to cure the disease. Some of the progress that has been experienced is the campaign by the WHO through the social workers create awareness to the world about the HIV/AIDS Epidemic. This campaign has created an impact in educating different communities on ways to keep safe from getting this disease. Moreover, so much investment has been made in research projects to find out how this a cure can be found. The introduction of ARV drugs has controlled the number of death caused by this disease. It is now possible for people infected with HIV to live long as long as they take these drugs, unlike in the past when it was tough to survive.

Over the last two decades, ‘ medical social workers have changed their roles in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in different ways. One of the changes is introducing more effective medications to fight the disease and the rate at which it spreads in various communities. Social workers focus more on working with HIV/AIDS patients, especially the who have been stigmatized and neglected by society. They help patients to navigate through this situation by reinforcing medication and self-care practices and creating awareness on how to engage in safe sex by use of contraceptives like condoms. Social health workers are known to assist HIV patients in advocating human necessities like shelter, food, and also identifying community-based organizations that give support. Some of the people who suffer double stigmatization are transgender, intersex, lesbians, and gay while living with HIV/AIDS. Social workers play a significant role in ensuring that they remain determined in life and can manage the diseases. This is mostly done through counseling and giving the patients a reason to continue living. They make the patients understand that sometimes culture can be harsh, and the only way to cope with this is by being culturally sensitive. Self-confidence, when one is living with HIV/AIDS, it is essential that is why social health workers will always instill it to the patients. Healing from this disease requires discipline and a change in lifestyle to adopt a healthier one. When patient learn that they are suffering from this disease they loss control of their life and this could be dangerous to them. A social worker is responsible of supporting the patients by ensuring that they regain control over their lives through advocacy and self-reflection. HIV/AIDS patients highly require support from their families and thus the social health workers engage the family by teaching them the need to support these patients.

The initial stages when someone learns that they are infected with HI/AIDS because in most cases the patient will lose focus and hope in life. Some even get depressed and will consider things like drug taking, suicide or other dangerous decision. This happens because naturally human beings will get tension and tend to think that it is the end of their life. This stage is when the social health workers are need to ensure that they keep the patients on track ensuring that they don’t make toxic decision. They are required to counsel the patients on how to approach their new life with the virus to be able to control their life.

Controlling the spread of this epidemic is quite challenging because it requires different advocacy agencies like the government, health organizations and other stakeholders. The US government for years now has shown the interest to control the spread of the disease by offering its support. Research and studies have been funded by the US government over the issue with the aim of determining whether a cure could found. Different system care has been put in place to ensure that all the people easily access the testing services. The government runs a campaign aimed at creating awareness about the disease. Other organizations like WHO also offer their support through ideas and funds on how the disease can be controlled. It is r=the responsibility of every individual in the society to offer their support in controlling the spread of the disease. Creating awareness in different populations is the first step to controlling the spreading of HIV/AIDS.

The campaign to control the disease there are some of the challenges and problems that they face. These problems could act as barriers towards this campaign, some of the problems are lack of enough social health workers to deal with the infected patients. Financial constrains is also an issue that challenges this profession of controlling the disease. When there are no resources to offer medicine and other treatment plans it is hard to run this campaign. Running the campaign requires so much funds considering that research is important in this initiative. The idea is however faced by numerous challenges and problems considering that the plan requires so much work and planning for it to be successful.

Conclusion

HIV/AIDS epidemic remains major concern to the modern society as the spread of this disease continue to grow big. More investments need to be made towards determining a better way to control and also cure the disease. The fight of this disease require the contribution of every person in the society trough creating awareness. Additionally, the social health workers need to continue making an impact by helping the patients roll over this issue.