Introduction
Background
The human immunodeficiency virus has been a topic that is discussed in low tones in Saudi Arabia. For a long time, this society has considered those who are suffering from HIV as adulterous and are not living according to the teachings of the Quran. Society has associated this health complication with irresponsible sexual behavior. Because of this, there has been massive stigmatization of people suffering from HIV. Society considers them as outcasts who cannot lead moral lives and are, therefore, paying the price of their immorality (Farber 2011, p. 1810). Others believe that it is a direct punishment from God to the sinners. This has forced those suffering from HIV to lead a life full of desperation. Others prefer keeping their conditions private while others live in constant denials. This is not the right way to fight HIV or to live with it positively. It only makes it worse to deal with properly.
HIV in Saudi Arabian children is an issue that is increasingly becoming common. According to Wagstaff (2009, p. 78), most of the children who suffer from HIV acquire the virus from their mothers either at birth or during breastfeeding. This is because society has become so negative towards the victims of HIV that they are not aware of the safe delivery and child management approaches to take to ensure that they do not infect their children. The government has also been unenthusiastic towards creating awareness about this disease in order to eliminate cases of mother-to-child transmissions (Jenkins & Robalino, 2003, p. 78). Once they are born with the virus, these children are exposed to various challenges facing those suffering from this disease and much more, especially due to their tender age. This research will give detailed research on the lives of these children in this country.
Research aims
In research, it is always important to define the aims and objectives of the study in order to have a clear vision of what the research seeks to achieve. In this research, the researcher seeks to achieve the following specific aims:
- To determine the causes of HIV in Saudi Arabian children
- To establish the effect of HIV in Saudi Arabian children on the victims, their parents, and the society in general
- To come up with measures through which the negative effect on the infected children can be reduced
- To come up with measures of preventing possible future infection through increased awareness among the public
Literature Review
Current research studies
The Saudi Arabian society is slowly coming to terms with the fact that HIV is not an issue that can be ignored and wished away (Todrys 2009, p. 56). They have come to realize HIV must be fought in order to be eliminated. This has seen several researchers develop an interest in this field as a way of unearthing the truth about this disease (Pozgar 2007, p. 90). Most of the current researchers have tried to demystify some of the beliefs about HIV and give comprehensive knowledge about its mode of transmission, its gestation period, and the effect it has on the victims (Tuyoina 2008, p. 78). These researches have helped reduce the stigma against HIV victims. Public hospitals are now opening up to help children and even adults suffering from this disease.
Current discoveries about the topic
The recent research on this topic within Saudi Arabia has revealed a number of facts. For instance, it has become known that the estimates that the government gives about people suffering from HIV in Saudi Arabia are highly underestimated. This is because the government does not have the right data. Most of the people who suffer from this disease prefer staying silent about it for fear of discrimination. In fact, Jiene (2011, p. 56) says that for every ten people suffering from HIV, only one would be willing to come openly and declare his or her state. This has negated the fight against this disease among Saudi Arabian children.
Principal issues that are being discussed
Some of the principal issues that are being discussed are how to inhibit the transmission of this disease from mother to child, and how to care for children who are already infected (Niles 2011, p. 89). The stakeholders are also concerned about how to sensitize the public to avoid stigmatization.
General conclusions that are being drawn
Scholars have concluded that HIV in Saudi Arabian children is likely to turn into a huge national problem if immediate measures are not taken to address it (Wolper 2011, p. 27). The number of children born with the virus is on the rise, but society is not ready to accept the fact. A solution will only come when society accepts the truth about the right ways of fighting HIV infections and deaths (Peralta 2011, p. 1330).
Methodologies
Every research employs a given research methodology to arrive at the desired result based on the nature of the research and the available resources. In this study, the researcher intends to use quantitative research in order to come up with an empirical study. The researcher will use both primary and secondary data in order to come up with an empirically supported research paper. The primary data will help in validating the findings of secondary sources of data. The secondary data will be collected from books and journals on this topic. The primary data will be collected using questionnaires that will be sent to the respondents through online means. The researcher will select a health institution that has been involved in taking care of these patients within this country. The researcher will also identify a number of parents whose children are suffering from HIV. They will help shed more light on this issue by giving firsthand experience on the lives of children suffering from HIV. The analysis of the primary data will be done using SPSS software. The results will be presented in tables, graphs, and in words to enhance understanding.
Importance of the topic
This topic is very important. HIV among Saudi Arabian children is an issue that has been ignored for a long time (Fielding 2009, p. 31). There is a research gap in the kinds of literature available about this topic. For instance, the current research has not focused on the impact of the Islamic religion and its teachings on HIV among children of this country (Kernick 2004, p. 117). This is where this research comes in so that these research gaps can be filled. The researcher seeks to compile a report that can be used by relevant stakeholders to change the current unfortunate situation where children suffering from HIV in this country are discriminated against instead of being supported
List of References
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Jenkins, C. L., & Robalino, D. A. (2003). HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa: The costs of inaction. Washington: World Bank.
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