Reflection: HIV Testing in Africa Essay (Critical Writing)

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Introduction

Africa is a continent constantly plagued by drought, disease, and military conflicts. The standards of living here are very low, and the average life expectancy in countries like Zimbabwe does not exceed 33 years (De Wet, 2019). HIV contributes greatly to the death statistic and affects around 9% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa (De Wet, 2019). Two opposing views on what must be done are presented by Dr. Meadows and Dr. Williams. Dr. Meadows believes that the key lies in eliminating barriers to condom distribution and greater engagement with suppliers. Dr. Williams claims that it would not be enough, and mandatory HIV testing is necessary for preventing HIV/AIDS from spreading. The point of contention lies in the ethics of forcing individuals to undergo tests versus the allegedly less effective method of condom distribution.

Feelings on Scenario

I think that the option presented by Dr. Williams is the most ethical because it does not explicitly violate an individual’s right to privacy while offering great improvements. Dr. Meadows’ stance is understandable, but it relies on too many factors to be effective. No amount of advocacy will change the minds of religious fundamentalists. In addition, restraint is the best form of defense against HIV/AIDS. Therefore, I strongly support mandatory testing for the disease in Africa.

Ethical Theories

The ethical theory of utilitarianism relies on the balance of positive and negative factors in comparison to one another. If an action benefits most people without severely disenfranchising minorities, then it can be considered good (Pence, 2017). Mandatory testing will infringe on the right to choose, but at the same time will save numerous lives. If anonymity is preserved and everyone is made to submit to the test, then there are virtually no downsides. Thus, from a utilitarian point of view, Dr. Williams’s stance is ethical.

Conclusion

HIV/AIDS is an incurable disease that is very widespread in Africa. Cultural and logistical barriers prevent widespread condom distribution in the area. Mandatory testing will allow everyone to know whether they are infected or not. It will enable them to make conscious choices about sex. The negative sides of the practice can be mitigated by following proper patient anonymity protocols. I believe Dr. Williams is right in this situation.

References

De Wet, K. (2019). The normalization of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Routledge.

Pence, G. (2017). Medical ethics: Accounts of ground-breaking cases (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

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IvyPanda. (2024, March 22). Reflection: HIV Testing in Africa. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reflection-hiv-testing-in-africa/

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IvyPanda. (2024) 'Reflection: HIV Testing in Africa'. 22 March.

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IvyPanda. 2024. "Reflection: HIV Testing in Africa." March 22, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reflection-hiv-testing-in-africa/.

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IvyPanda. "Reflection: HIV Testing in Africa." March 22, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/reflection-hiv-testing-in-africa/.

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