The depth of the problem can be seen in the results of a survey reported by Booth, Koester, Brewster, and Weibel (1991) which show that over fifty percent of the subjects injected drugs on a daily basis, while 70% shared needles with other addicts. Only 22% used a disinfectant with their needles every time they injected. It was further found that 86% shared a "cooker" with other users, and nearly fifty percent reported injecting in a shooting gallery. These subjects were not merely dangerous to themselves, either, since 90% reported having sexual relations in the six months prior to the interview, with one-half having had multiple partners. The subjects rarely used condoms (Booth, Koester, Brewster, and Weibel, 1991). This was the situation after a long effort at public education on the dangers of HIV infection and ways to avoid it. Leukefeld, Battjes, and Amsel (1990) suggest, along with many other professionals and researchers, that prevention efforts to reduce the risk of AIDS among IV drug users should be a priority considering the high levels of AIDS risk behavior within this population and the fact that the sexual partners of IV drug users are also at risk (Leukefeld, Battjes, and Amsel, 1990). The sharing of needles is the primary risk factor for IV drug users. Lishner and Look (1990) emphasize that this is one of the major means of transmission of the HIV virus into the general population. Education and other programs have thus addressed the matter with the hope of reducing the incidence of high risk behavior, with mixed results. Lishner and Look cite the case of Seattle where liberal laws made acquisition of needles relatively...
The spread of HIV to a younger and younger population has also been part of the ongoing spread of the disease, creating new fears about the social devastation the disease would bring. Fears of what HIV means to society as a whole have been present for some time, and analysts have stated that the capacity of the voluntary sector to respond to continuing and new needs will be sorely tested (Jonsen & Stryker, 1993). Higher rates among adolescents will make this even more difficult. The basic methods for prevention were set early. Chitwood, McCoy, and Comerford (1990) examined a number of treatment and prevention modalities and set forth several characteristics they saw as most effective for such programs.
The primary method used by the program will be an advertising campaign that addresses the need for behavioral change by the delivery of a personal message to the target audience, which has been shown to be highly effective in other areas (Singh, 2010). It will also encourage HIV testing and informed status among sexual partners. It will discourage the sharing of needles among IV drug users. The program will
A person infected with HIV is able to transmit the virus to others at any time, as it is impossible to totally rid the body of the virus. There is currently no cure for HIV. Drugs used to treat HIV may be able to decrease the number of the virus by 99.9%, but they are unable to get rid of it completely. Even though it is less likely, with a
HIV Prevention Among Adolescents in Brooklyn Intervention studies are an approach to health conditions that is being used globally. For any given community, there can be success with intervention studies, or the intervention studies can be insufficient to decrease the effect of health issues upon the community. One medical condition which has been the subject of intervention studies is HIV. While there have been numerous intervention studies of HIV, their result
HIV Risk Prevention: Educating Minority Adolescents Fighting HIV / AIDS involves no less than changing our whole sexual culture." Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, feels that what is most vital is that preventive education be stressed into young people's behavior. (UNESCO Courier, October 1999). Around half of all new cases of HIV infection in the whole world involve young people between 15 and 24, and in more and more cases,
The subjects were adolescents 14-18 years old. They were recruited from schools and health clinics. The subjects completed an in-depth survey and interview at baseline and again 6 months later. The subsequent analyses were limited to adolescents with steady partners who reported sexual activity between the baseline and 6-month follow-up assessment periods (N = 179). At baseline, five-scale measures and a single-item measure were used to assess predictive constructs,
HIV and AIDS in Kenya Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a very deadly disease. This disease causes debilitating illness and ultimately causes early death in people who are in the prime of their lives. This illness has major affects on the families that are impacted. HIV / AIDS ruins the lives of many, those infected and their families. Children are orphaned, wives are widowed and
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