Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, are diseases that affect the body and mind of an infected person. It can be life-threatening if left untreated but can also be controlled with medication. Women find getting treatment for this problem challenging because they frequently worry about what other individuals think or say. Women tend to hide their status from others and avoid getting tested for fear of being judged or ostracized by society. This essay will discuss how women’s beliefs and world views affect their decisions regarding HIV and AIDS.
Specifics of Women’s Beliefs, Worldviews, Biological Variations, and Disease Patterns
HIV and AIDS are major global health problems. According to the World Health Organization, in 2021, more than 19.7 million women live with HIV or AIDS (WHO, 2022). Women are more likely to get infected with HIV by having sex with an infected man (NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, 2021). The second most frequent pattern of transmission is through injection drug use. Other disease patterns include mother-to-child transmission and blood transfusion (NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, 2021).
Some ways society contributes to these behaviors are by providing incentives for risk-taking among young girls (NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, 2021). HIV and AIDS are global health problems affecting women disproportionately due to cultural beliefs and worldviews. Many nations have traditional practices that promote gender inequality worldviews (NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, 2021). As a result, women have less access to information concerning HIV spread and ways of treating and coping with the disease worldviews (NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, 2021). Additionally, in many cultures and religions, sex is taboo, which causes fear and ignorance about AIDS and HIV in women and young girls.
Biological variations also contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS among women due to peculiarities of their body structure. Women are more likely to get HIV during vaginal or anal intercourse since receptive sex generally has a higher risk than insertive sex (NIH’s Office of AIDS Research, 2021). While women can overcome cultural and religious barriers, modern science cannot solve physiological problems.
Conclusion
Listed above practices make it difficult for many women living with HIV or AIDS because they feel ashamed or guilty about having contracted the virus through sexual activity. Therefore, avoiding testing altogether out of fear that people may find out about their status or accuse them of disgracing themselves and their families. To change the current situation, mass education about HIV and AIDS, as well as sex education, will help.
References
NIH’s Office of AIDS Research. (2021). HIV and Women. Web.
WHO. (2022). HIV/AIDS. Web.