Abstract
Communicable diseases include diseases, such as AIDS that are spread by either parasites or viruses. The AIDS epidemic is one of the diseases that are associated with many people’s deaths around the world. Its mode of spread has a close relationship with high poverty rates, overcrowding, illiteracy, and abuse of drugs. However, AIDS can be controlled through observance or some amicable measures. This paper aims at providing detailed information on the strategies that opt for being implemented in controlling AIDS. Governments should consider AIDS as a health priority, among the strategies to control the spread of disease are ensuring that public and private sectors are sharing AIDS’ responsibility, provision of enough resources to research on AIDS, and involvement of nations in strengthening and encouraging public health initiatives. Additionally, the paper will detail how reducing prison overcrowding, as well as the number of school dropouts, will contribute to controlling AIDS.
Introduction
Communicable diseases are contagious infections caused by parasites and viruses. They are also transferred by fungi and bacteria. These organisms have the potential of being transmitted from an infected individual to a healthy one either through tactile contact. Communicable disease control involves coming up with methods that will curtail the spread of infectious agents among populations. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a communicable disease that needs to be controlled. This paper aims at providing detailed information on the strategies that ought to be implemented to control AIDS.
AIDS as a health priority
Very many people in the world die of AIDS. For instance, it is estimated that over 15 million Africans have died of this disease (Jamison, 2006). It is also evident that AIDS has contributed to the devastating conditions of very many people in the world. Thus, it is crucial for nations to consider AIDS as one of the highest health priorities to control the advancement of its effects (Jamison, 2006). Additionally, nations need to recognize the prevention of HIV infection as a major practice.
Public and private sectors to share AIDS’ responsibility
The AIDS epidemic is not selective; it kills individuals from different races and occupations. To control it, people need to work in unison. For instance, the public and private sectors must share the responsibility of addressing it at national and local levels (Strategic Plan to Combat HIV and AIDS in the United States, 1992). It is also vital for both private and public sectors to take part in educating the public about behaviors that facilitate the spread of HIV infection. The creation of awareness among the public will make the majority of them take precautions when carrying out most activities in society (Cowgill et al., 2003).
Enough resources to research on AIDS
These days, many theories explain the origin of AIDS and propose possible ways of treatment for this disease. In his book, Adeyi (2003) “also claims that many researchers have managed to come up with some drugs that dramatically slow the progression of the disease”, (p. 2). However, this is not enough; many people are still dying of AIDS. States need to give enough resources to individuals researching HIV and AIDS to enhance the invention of drugs that will minimize the coming out of drug-resistant strains of HIV. Adeyi (2003) also claims that “there is a need to make affordable care and support available to people with HIV/AIDS”, (p. 25). For instance, the prices of antiretrovirals need to be affordable in all nations. It is also crucial for the public health service (PHS) of nations to focus on PHS resources for the public to realize the goal of stopping the advancement of HIV infection.
Nations to strengthen and encourage public health initiatives
Drug abuse is currently rampant all over the world. Unfortunately, drug abuse correlates with the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. Most drug users do not only show risky behaviors but also take for granted most of their errands for their health (Strategic Plan to Combat HIV and AIDS in the United States, 1992). Thus, it is crucial for nations to strengthen and encourage public health initiatives that attend to substance abuse and diseases that are spread via sexual contact. It is also crucial for nations to establish pragmatic policies that will monitor not only the usage of needles by drug users but also rehabilitation programs that can aid prevent transmission of the disease among them (Adeyi, 2003). The provision of health services in many health centers also contributes to the spread of AIDS; most personnel in public health centers offer poor services to their clients. For instance, most children contract the disease by direct transmission from their mothers during birth. Therefore, nurses and doctors must take part in controlling the spread of the disease by providing prevention services to the patients. Sharing of ideas and experiences among personnel has also the potential of combating the spread of the disease (Adeyi, 2003). Thus, PHS must encourage good relationships between health departments.
Reduction of prison overcrowding and the number of school dropouts
The vulnerability of AIDS is rampant in overcrowded areas. Most prisons in the world are overcrowded (Dokwal, 2005). The overcrowding of prisons creates an environment for sexual abuse. To control the spread of AIDS, nations ought to increase the number of prisons to do away with overcrowding. Most individuals that become victims of AIDS are also school dropouts. This is evidenced by the activities they play in their respective societies. For instance, the majority of them are restricted from choosing safe economic activities and, as a result, indulge in prostitution (Cowgill, Garcia-Abreu & Noguer, 2003). Therefore, nations opt to come up with amicable measures that will ensure all people access education and good job opportunities.
Public education to minimize stigmatization
AIDS is associated with stigmatization. This is evidenced by what most HIV/AIDS victims experience in many societies. In addition to most of them being discriminated against, the majority of them also feel ashamed of themselves. Stigmatization makes the majority of them not seek medical assistance in time. However, public education can minimize the stigma associated with AIDS and, as a result, increase the viability of victims in society (Dokwal, 2005). Direct psychosocial interaction can also contribute significantly to its control. This is evidenced by the studies that have been carried out in South Africa and Thailand (Strategic Plan to Combat HIV and AIDS in the United States, 1992). Access to mental health services has contributed to the reduction of the rate of mortality in these two countries. Thus, controlling AIDS epidemics requires high-level political involvement to lessen the stigma correlated with AIDS.
Good surveillance systems
Good surveillance systems play significant roles in public health (Strategic Plan to Combat HIV and AIDS in the United States, 1992). For instance, AIDS surveillance systems give detailed information on the magnitude and developments in the dominance of the disease and risk behavior. Data collected via AIDS surveillance are used in planning; they assist the associated individuals to purchase substantial drugs to combat the disease (Jamison, 2006). Thus, surveillance systems need to be developed or improved in all nations to control the spread of AIDS.
Poverty eradication
Poverty correlates with AIDS; many people consider it a disease of poverty because it is rampant in poor countries. Most people in poor countries play unprotected sex because of a lack of access to facilities such as condoms. For instance, AIDS prevalence in Uganda increased by 6% between 1980 and 1993. It is also estimated that the number of infected adults could reach 2.8 million by the year 2020 (Armstrong, 1995). It is also documented that over 130,000 Latin Americans contracted HIV because of poor living conditions (Cowgill et al., 2003). Therefore, the nations must associate NGOs in national programs that touch on matters of health such as AIDS control to reduce its prevalence in marginalized regions (Cowgill et al., 2003).
Unlike other organizations, NGOs have access to marginal populations who are in great need of facilities such as condoms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AIDS is a communicable disease that needs to be prevented and controlled. Many strategies need to be implemented to combat its advancement. For instance, nations need to consider it as one of the highest health priorities. The public and private sectors need also to share the responsibility of combating this disease. AIDS services and facilities need also to be made affordable to all people. Additionally, it is crucial for nations to come up with programs that will reduce drug abuse and overcrowding in prisons. Good surveillance and poverty eradication will also contribute significantly towards the control of the disease.
References
Adeyi, O. (2003). Averting AIDS Crises in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: A Regional Support Strategy. Washington D.C., United States: World Bank Publications.
Armstrong, J. (1995). Uganda’s AIDS Crisis: Its Implications for Development. Washington D.C., United States: World Bank Publications.
Cowgill, K., Garcia-Abreu, A. & Noguer, I. (2003). HIV/AIDS in Latin American Countries: The Challenges Ahead, Volume 676. Washington D.C.: World Bank Publications.
Dokwal, C. (2005). Current Management of AIDS and HIV Infection. Delhi, India: Popular Prakashan.
Jamison, D. (2006). Priorities in Health. Washington D.C., United States: World Bank Publications.
Strategic Plan to Combat HIV and AIDS in the United States. (1992). New York, United States: DIANE Publishing.