Effects
HIV/AIDS has hit Sub-Saharan Africa the hardest among all the other nations. Such occurs in terms of migration, poverty, low literacy levels, and economic instability (World Health Organization, 1997). Further, the death tolls in the world have increased significantly because of this disease leading to the loss of human labor, which is needed for much production in society. Nations are also spending a lot in the healthcare sector with an aim of addressing the negative impact of the virus, which has led to the attainment of economic instabilities in different regions (Wasserheit, 1992). Adult population has been lost resulting in dire consequences in different social sectors that include having children who are orphaned in society. The epidemic has seen rampant disruption of the communities and villages, which lowers attainment of progress.
Education
Education campaigns and programs should be developed, which help in creating awareness of the disease, as well as the prevention methods (Gibb, 1998). Local and national leaders should talk openly regarding the disease that individuals can understand of its impact and prevention measures. Such includes explaining to the community the essence of having protected sex, and engaging in testing procedures for the disease. Stigma and silence that surrounds HIV/AIDS needs to be addressed and replaced with good communication, openness, and compassion. Prevention campaigns should also be developed, which are focused on reducing the infection rate of the disease in society. In education, key focus should be on how people need to change their sexual behavior, the use of the condoms, and respecting the plight of people infected with the virus. The public education should have a target audience, right messages and slogans, right methods, and resources and people who should engage in the implementation of the programs.
References
Gibb, D. (1998). Reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection: non
pharmaceutical interventions and their implementation. Int J STD AIDS.9:19–21.
Wasserheit, J. (1992). Epidemiological synergy: interrelationships between human
immunodeficiency virus infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Sex Transm Dis. 19:61–77.
World Health Organization. (1997). Global AIDS surveillance. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 72:357
364.
