HIV/AIDS is one of the major contributors to deaths in prisons worldwide. The virus is deeply embedded in society and is the primary cause of mortality among many populations. The high prevalence of this disease is attributed to many factors, including unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing contaminated sharp personal objects, blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission during birth (Maruschak, 2015; Wohl et al., 2017). Adhering to various HIV/AIDs prevention measures can reduce the rate of new infections significantly.
Causes and Prevention Measures of Transmission of HIV in Prisons
The spread of AIDS in prisons is majorly facilitated by many factors, including unprotected sexual intercourse among inmates. Moreover, bleeding resulting from physical fights and sharing of needles for drug injections heightens the risk of infection (Moradi et al., 2020). Other causes of the spread of the disease include overcrowding and lack of education on the danger of the virus.
Several measures have been adopted to prevent the disease from spreading among inmates. However, success has been hampered by poor implementation by prison authorities (Wohl et al., 2017). Using condoms is one common strategy to reduce the spread of this illness. Another approach involves sensitizing inmates to the impotence of self-protection (Maruschak, 2015). Prison administrators should emphasize much on promoting adherence to protective measures, decongesting the detention facilities, and increasing the number of medical personnel for regular testing and counselling.
Education and Motivation as HIV/AIDs Prevention Measures
The rate of HIV/AIDs transmission in detention facilities is high all over the world. This trend has been attributed to many factors, including risky behaviors such as sharing tools (needles for administering substances), sexual abuse, and unprotected sex, as well as lack of awareness about the prevention and transmission of this disease (Maruschak, 2015). Previous research shows that these factors increase the risk of infecting other prisoners (Wohl et al., 2017). Therefore, the court system should educate this population about the risk and consequences of this deadly virus to limit its spread.
Education is an effective approach to curbing the transmission of any disease. However, it might not be sufficient enough to discourage people from engaging in behaviors which expose them to diseases. At-risk individuals need to be sensitized about the devastating consequences of this virus and the benefits of using protection (Maruschak, 2015). Moreover, motivation to stay protective can deter habits which lead to infection. This method can be implemented by rewarding those who pose the most significant risk of spreading the virus but chose not to. An example is an infected sex worker who insists on using condoms during sexual intercourse.
HIV Cases among the Heterosexuals
The rate of the transmission of HIV among the heterosexuals is alarming. 31% of the heterosexuals admitted to having sexual intercourse with men while not incarcerated (Moradi et al., 2020). Detainees often remain silent about their sex life, consequently worsening the issue (Moradi et al., 2020). This habit impedes access to professional assistance such as material and emotional support. Thus, efforts should be made to encourage inmates to disclose their HIV/AIDs status to boost prevention.
In conclusion, the spread of HIV/AIDS in prisons can be reduced significantly by adopting timely measures. Most importantly, there is a need to prioritize education and awareness to sensitize inmates and other vulnerable groups about this condition. There is a need for combined efforts from all relevant stakeholders, including government, the court systems, and the community.
References
Maruschak, L. M. (2015). HIV in prisons, 2001-2010 [PDF document].
Moradi, G., Goodarzi, E., Khosravi, A., Mostafavi, F., & Veisani, Y. (2020). Investigation of the awareness status of HIV/AIDS and socioeconomic inequalities in women 15–54 years old in Iran: Study of Iran’s Multiple Indicator Demographic and Health Survey (IrMIDHS). Journal of Public Health, 1-10.
Wohl, A. R., Johnson, D. F., & Frye, D. M. (2017). Increases in noninjection methamphetamine use in men who have sex with men, men who do not have sex with men, and Latino men diagnosed with AIDS in Los Angeles County, 2000 through 2004. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 45(5), 601–603.