HIV/AID in South Africa

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest health concerns in Africa and Nigeria. It badly affects the people's health as well the economy of the country. Several risk factors are responsible for the transmission of this disease. The risk factors may include prostitution, high occurrence of sexually transmitted infections, homosexual and heterosexual practices, irregular blood screening and trafficking of women. HIV/AIDS can be prevented by taking several affected steps including awareness programs, documentaries, books and other educational programs. HIV/AID in South Africa

Introduction

In current world, HIV/Aids are one of those diseases that are gaining high pace. HIV is the name given to a virus that causes AIDS. Defense system of a body is actually weakened by HIV that creates complexities in body to fight against health problems to resist them. It is often observed that large number of people are suffered from HIV/AIDS and most of them belongs to Africa or Nigeria. Researches and surveys show that major cause of increased rate of HIV/AIDS among the people of Africa is unprotected sex and drug abuse. The recent stats of HIV/AIDS show that African American women face the most severe burden of HIV of all ethnic/racial groups in the United States (US). As compare to members of other ethnicities and races, a higher proportion of HIV infections are accounted for African American women at all stages of disease from infections to deaths (Ajayi, 2003).

In Nigeria the occurrence rate of HIV/AIDS, among the people having ages of 16-50, is 0.9%. Nigeria is considered as the third largest state of people having HIV/AIDS. In Nigeria the epidemic of HIV/AIDS is complex. Medical researches and surveys show that, mainly young adults and youth of Nigeria are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS (Osotimehin, 2008).

Several risk factors are responsible for spreading HIV/AIDS. These factors may include prostitution, high occurrence of sexually transmitted infections, homosexual and heterosexual practices, irregular blood screening and trafficking of women. The proceeding discussion shows the background of HIV/AIDS. The key factors behind HIV/AIDS are also discussed in the discussion. The discussion also demonstrates the affective steps which can be taken on governmental as well as on individual stages, in order to avoid this disease.

Thesis Statement

HIV/AIDS is considered as one of the most prominent health issue in Africa, especially in Nigeria. HIV/AIDS weakens the immune system of the body which causes several health issues. In most of the cases, these health issues may lead a patient to death.

Discussion

Extent of the Problem

Since the epidemic's beginning, Black Americans have been excessively affected by HIV/AIDS and with the passage of time that disparity has seemed to be deepened. Blacks are more accounted for AIDS diagnoses, new HIV infections. Records show that people living with HIV disease and HIV-related death rate is comparatively very high specifically among African people, than any other ethnic/racial group in the U.S. A disproportionate impact of this pandemic has also had on gay, bisexual men, Black women, youth, and, and its affect varies across the country. Furthermore, there are more barriers ...