AIDS is a growing problem in the world, and especially in Africa. This makes it even more troubling that education on AIDS continues to be sub-par. Misconceptions of how AIDS is contracted, spread, and treated have spread throughout South Africa, and to some degree the rest of the world as well. They range from the idea that mosquitoes can spread HIV (they can't) to the idea that we talked about in class- that sex with a virgin is a cure for AIDS.
Here's a wikipedia article on such misconceptions.
There are efforts to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS and provide support for those who are suffering, but these are so far sparsely populated, donation-funded organizations like this one. Also, large areas in Africa have a low amount of technology, and so it is much more difficult to spread information.
Do you think that education on AIDS in the U.S. is effective? Do you feel confident that you know enough about HIV & AIDS to avoid it? What more do you think should be done in the U.S. and Africa to educate people on HIV/AIDS and how to avoid it?
-Ryan Cuscaden
I feel pretty confident that I know how to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS. I think our education in the US does a decent job at explaining the sexual side of AIDS and needing to use a condom. However, I think they need to enforce more the concept of dirty needles being a huge part of how it’s spread. I do think that the US could do a better job at glamorizing getting tested though. Right now I feel like there is a stigma associated with the idea of having to make sure you’re “clean”. If you’re an individual exposing yourself to situations that put you at risk of contracting/spreading the disease I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to know… Yeah it’s scary, but there are ways to slow it down a little today.
ReplyDeleteI don’t really know enough about the situation in Africa to make a proposal on what should be done to correct the circumstances. I understand it’s a HUGE problem and the education about it is basically nonexistent, but what is their government doing about it? I think they would/should play the biggest role in communicating with the African people on this topic.
Lauren
I do not think HIV/AIDS education in the US is effective primarily because sexual education in the US tends to use fear tactics rather than actually educating. Instead of teaching people about HIV/AIDS and informing them of the percentage of people who have it, how it is transmitted, who is more at risk, etc. the education tends to teach that abstinence is the only 100% way to prevent it. We know abstinence is the best way, however, teens are still having sex. So, let's teach them about the early signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS. It is more treatable if caught early, yet most of us probably don;t know the symptoms. We can teach them about condoms and other forms of protection that help prevent HIV/AIDS. We need to teach them that there are ways other than sex it can be contracted, like sharing drug needles or tattooing or blood transfusions. I think it's important we educate people that not everyone with HIV/AIDS is sexually promiscuous. Some people are innocent victims like children or those with poor medical care or needle sterilization who accidently contracted the disease without sex. In general, the US and people in the world simply need to be more educated. They need people to talk about things that make them uncomfortable like sex and aids and open up a forum for questions, advice, etc. so that the topic becomes easier and easier to talk about. The conversation about sex needs to have more than just two sides and perhaps then people will realize that we are all different and thus, need to start paying attention to our own bodies and our own sexuality.
ReplyDelete-Alison Gammon
I think that I personally have been educated about HIV/AIDS and know how to protect myself. However, I have had friends ask me questions about some of the myths you presented. I do think that the US needs to include more information about ALL sexually transmitted diseases during sex ed and other health classes. I think that there is a huge push for HIV/AIDS prevention and education in Africa because of the high rates. I am unsure if it is working, but I think that providing specific courses on JUST sexual health in general, including HIV/AIDS would benefit African communities.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that many people are terrified at just the thought of contracting such a serious disease so I do think it is something that needs to be discussed even more than it already is.
-Jessica Pietroburgo