The QOTW just keep getting better and better! QOTW #9 was really good, because I had to think of my child's well being, but also the well being of another child due to my child's actions. Many parents are extremely over protective of their child and would not want HIV in the same sentence as their child's name. This scenario emphasized the need for education. In my response I decided not to reveal my child's HIV status. This week I also went through the myths, transmission and prevention slides. The myths powerpoint presentation stood out the most to me, because I was surprised by some of the information. The other day my friend texted me asking me if I remember the life and death question about Africa that I asked him. He told me that he would defintely not have taken the blood. He texted me to let me know that he wants to live and that he would have taken the blood. My repsonse to him was that was very random I asked you that over a month ago. He told me he had been thinking about it recently. I'm glad that this course is making others think and is opening up their minds about the disease. Others around me are beginning to realize that it is not always black or white, there are always many factors to be considered. On Sunday we start the M&M project and I know it is going to be interesting. I can't wait to see the reaction of the people around me when I tell them why I am taking my "pills". I will see how it goes!
Did You Know?
There are three risk groups for adolescents and young adults aged 13- 25. These risk groups include men who have sex with men, drug users and heterosexual contacts. "AIDS incidence decreased 7% among young MSM (from 1,400 cases to 1,300) and 8% among young IDU (from 600 cases to 550), but increased 137% among young HC (from 380 cases to 900)" (NLM Gateway, 1997). For this reason the number of cases among young female adults has increased 77% (NLM Gateway, 1997). This emphasizes the need for awareness. Many male adolescents are sexing sex with males and the rest of the adolescent population may feel that only these individuals are at great risk. HIV prevention is needed for HIV positive and HIV negative individuals. This will decrease the spread among the youth. They will be less likely to spread the disease if they receive counseling about safer behavior (NLM Gateway, 1997). When I went to take my HIV test the counselor told me that she has had to tell so many teenagers that they are HIV positive. At this point counseling is the only way to ensure that they do not spread the disease. I understand that it is harder for adolescents and young adults to be open about their status and make a difference in their communities. For this reason counseling and prevention is necessary.
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I agree with you. The QOTW is always an interesting one that makes me think my brains out and try to picture myself in the scenarios.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you with the education thing. We certainly need to be more educated to be able to deal with situations in life.
I think prevention and education is the key toward decreasing and preventing HIV/AIDS. The hard thing about educating people is the fact that some people already have it set in their head how HIV works, where it come from, ect. Sometimes people don't want to accept that an HIV inefected person is really just the same as non infected person. They are no different than the rest of us except they have to waay more consious of their health and well being. It's crazy to me when people try to turn their nose up at someone who has feelings just like they do.
ReplyDeleteIts good to see that everyone in this class can make some kind of impact on others, being big or small. As your friend thought about the scenario he decided to change his mind. Where as I am sure he let stimga tell him not to take the donation at first. I believe that many people today dont realize that people can contract HIV in different ways and its NOT just the Four H's getting infected. Maybe our sociey has gone a little complacent about HIV which has let stigma once agin find a way into our society.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also like the QOTW questions because they make you challenge your thoughts and believes and put you in situations that you may never experience. They do keep getting better and better and I never get annoyed answering these questions! I think it would be best not disclose your child's health status because all it would do is put your child at risk of being discriminated against and being ridiculed. No one should know about your child's status unless someone else is at risk.
ReplyDeleteCounseling is extremely important in helping the spread of HIV. I don't think that young teenagers are mentally stable enough to handle the thought of having a life threatening disease. I am sure that counseling will help them cope with their new status and help them understand what needs to be done and how to tell their family and friends.
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