Specific Purpose:
The purpose of this informative speech is to bring out the fact that HIV/AIDS problem has not been tackled enough because stigma and discrimination influence the treatment of patients.
Thesis Statement
The main reason for the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS is the stigma and discrimination attached to it that prevents people from getting the required treatment at the right time.Attention Getter
The WHO reports that HIV has so far claimed the lives of about 34 million people. In 2014 alone 1.2 million people died of HIV related problems (HIV/AIDS, 2015).
Since the first case of AIDS was reported in 1981, there have been sustained efforts from national governments as well as the international community to combat the problem. But the prevailing high incidences of HIV show that the efforts have not been enough.
Body
A 2014 research conducted by UNAIDS says that, “Stigma and discrimination are among the foremost barriers to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support (Reduction, 2014).” Stigma about HIV positive status prevent people from not only getting treatment and other services but also increases the risk of infection as they fail to disclose their status to other people. New incidences of HIV are mostly due to infection from untested people who share sexual partners and other intravenous drugs.
Almost one in eight people living with AIDS is denied treatment because of the stigma and discrimination attached to it (UNAIDS, 2015). The most vulnerable population are homosexuals, drug users and prostitutes as people believe that it is their behavior and lifestyle that have caused the infection. People with HIV/AIDS not only need medicine to help them lead a normal life but also need love, understanding and acceptance. With The above three, stigma and discrimination would come down a lot.
Stigma and discrimination are almost always caused by cultural and moral factors. Sex is a taboo subject in many cultures and men and women do not have enough information about it or STD’s. People also associate HIV/AIDS with imminent death. Most people think sexual intercourse in the only means of infection and added to it are the beliefs that virgin sex would cure people of AIDS (prevalent in countries like India).
Conclusion
Thus Stigma among the infected people and from the public about HIV infection as well as discrimination practiced by people and some medical practitioners cause ineffective treatment. High infection rates and spread of HIV/AIDS could be brought down if the stigma and discrimination surrounding it could be dealt with effectively. Governments should spend equally on dispelling myths, rumours and stigma attached to HIV/AIDS.
References
“Reduction of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.” UNAIDS. 2014. Web.18 Mar 2016.
UNAIDS. “On the Fast-Track to end AIDS by 2030: Focus on location and population.” AVERT. 2015. Web. 18 Mar 2016.
“HIV/AIDS”. Who.int. Nov 2015. Web. 18 Mar 2016.
