Part 1
Description of the program
One of the most critical issues that are continuously posing great threats to the well-being of humans in the 21st century remains to be diseases which are untreatable. HIV/AIDS forms the bulk of the deaths that come from such illnesses. As such, there is the need to have in place programs that will effectively address this scourge. In many developing countries particularly the third world countries, there have been challenges that have always been faced in combating the scourge. Puerto Rico is one such country that has been bedeviled with this disease. In particular, San Juan city has been faced with problems in combating the condition due to the fact that very few people go HIV testing which is made worse by the fact that there are very few health facilities that are important in curbing the virus in the city. Going by the statistics concerning the HIV, an estimated 19,067 individuals have been diagnosed with the virus as of the year 2012 (Jovet-Toledo et al., 2014). The year 2013 saw 743 new cases of the disease reported meaning that the trend is on the rise (Jovet-Toledo et al., 2014). As such, this realization has made it necessary to come up with a program that will be vital in addressing the condition. It is important to realize that the San Juan is made up mostly by individuals whose income levels are low because of the higher levels of poverty in the country. A comparison in terms of poverty levels between San Juan and a developed country like the US indicate that there is a great disparity as a far as income level is concerned (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2014). This fact is clearly shown by the levels of income between these two localities. For instance, the income level in San Juan is 21,611 US Dollars compared to 53,046 US Dollars in the United States (United States Census Bureau, 2014)). Such a disparity shows how wanting the situation on the ground is. The mortality rate between these two places is also significantly different in the sense that San Juan has got a 7.17 infant mortality rate compared to 6.15 infant mortality rates in the US (Macartney et al., 2013). It can, therefore, be concluded that the higher mortality rates in San Juan can be attributed to the lower income levels in the city and consequently, higher poverty levels. As such, the population in this city is marginalized. In this direction, therefore, it is imperative to develop programs that will be proactive in campaigning for the constructing of healthcare facilities that will be instrumental in providing counseling and antiretroviral therapy to the residents of San Juan who have been infected and affected by the scourge (Macartney et al., 2013). The program also targets at educating individuals against risky sexual behaviors like cost sharing of equipment such as syringes and needles which is one of the causes of HIV transmission. There is also the need to advise young women against the dangers that are associated with risky sexual behaviors. Efforts like reducing cases of unsafe random sexual escapades are vital in reducing the possibilities of them acquiring the scourge (Macartney et al., 2013).
Part 2
Proposed Pilot study for the program
After having educational and testing sessions with the participants in my pilot study, I will then create room for discussions amongst the participants for them to be open about their views concerning the disease. To get these views, I will give out questionnaires to members of the public in schools, in the streets and hospitals (Calsyn et al., 2013). Information from such a method will be effective in getting different views concerning the HIV/AIDS and if at all there can be any resistance to the program, come up with strategies that will be effective in addressing such resistance. From the views I will get concerning the disease, I will also be now in a better position to introduce the issue of using condoms during sexual intercourse. Having discussions about issues in the society softens the stand that individuals will have taken concerning particular issues (Calsyn et al., 2013).
Part 3
Evaluation of the Pilot Study
Definition of the program
This stage involves defining the particular issue in a place that has to be addressed. In this case, therefore, the problem that is being addressed is the HIV scourge and the efforts that should be put in place to address it (Villanova University, 2016). The budgetary needs of the project will also form the basis of the defining stage. The healthcare workers provided by the Carolina municipality will also be well defined and the particular expertise that they possess. Such efforts will be important in ensuring that by the time we go to the field to roll out our pilot study, everybody will be well placed to carry out the roles assigned to them (Villanova University, 2016).
Measurement of the Program
This part of the six sigma methodology focuses on the collection of vital data that will be useful in the whole process. As such, data concerning the levels of HIV infection in the city and the levels of new infections will be crucial in making sure that we have the correct numbers of individuals that will be included in the program (Villanova University, 2016). Data on the total population in the city will also be vital in distributing resources in efforts to address challenges that may arise because of shortages. This stage will also involve estimating the costs that are likely to be incurred in the whole program so as to determine the financial feasibility of the project (Villanova University, 2016).
Analysis of the Program
This part involves having an analysis of the levels of the acceptance of the program. The San Juan locality being a primarily catholic community means that the level in which the usage of condoms has been embraced is low (Villanova University, 2016). As such, this part will involve taking measurements in terms of how many people are willing to take part in the usage of condoms from the discussions we will have and if at all there is any resistance, to what extent it is (Villanova University, 2016). The analysis part will also involve taking into account the number of persons who will be willing to take part in HIV testing so as to gauge the level of acceptance amongst the locals. An analysis of the number of young women who will be willing to review their sexual behaviors will also be important in gauging the success of the program (Villanova University, 2016).
Improvements on the Program
Control of the Program
Since this program will be rolled for quite some time, it will be essential to ensure that it has continuity (Villanova University, 2016). Therefore, efforts will be put to ensure that enough funds are solicited from the local governments to assists in carrying out such future programs. Demonstrations on how effective condoms are will also be vital in making sure that people wholly accept the program that will have been established (Villanova University, 2016).
Part 4
The Center for Disease Prevention and Control and UNAIDS have been on the forefront in addressing the challenges that are brought about by the HIV. The CDC, for instance, has got the National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) section which is charged with the responsibility of reducing HIV cases and the deaths that emanate from the infections (CDC, 2015). The NCHHSTP has got the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention-Intervention Research and Support (DHAP-IRS) section which is on the forefront in providing support and carrying out research and development ion how to address the HIV issue (CDC, 2015). The DHAP-IRS has got five divisions in it namely
• Prevention program branch
This division is responsible for developing, planning, implementing and managing strategies and resources for the prevention of HIV with both local and local governments, community-based organizations and nongovernmental organizations (CDC, 2015). The division also monitors programs and policies with the efforts directed at addressing the virus (CDC, 2015).
• Capacity building branch
This division is responsible for ensuring that science-based and capacity building assistance which is culturally appropriate is applied in the prevention of the disease (CDC, 2015). The branch is also responsible for technical assistance, getting information, training and technological transfer (CDC, 2015).
• Program evaluation branch
This branch is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness, costs and the impact that HIV prevention programs have, the strategies taken into consideration and programs for improvement and accountability (CDC, 2015). Such efforts are directed towards building an evaluation capacity.
• Prevention communication branch
This division is responsible for developing procedures and disseminating scientific, visual, technical and statistical communications concerning HIV/AIDS for both public and private healthcare providers (CDC, 2015). The communication is also important to the general public. UNAIDS which is the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has also been on the forefront in addressing the HIV issue though the innovative partnerships which have been directed at achieving universal HIV prevention, care and treatment (UNAIDS, 2012). As such, UNAIDS is mandated with;
Creating unity in the efforts that the UN system, national governments, civil societies, global institutions and the private sector to sort out people that are living with HIV (UNAIDS, 2012).
Speaking out in one voice with the people that have been affected by the disease in order to uphold their dignity, rights and gender equality (UNAIDS, 2012).
Marshaling technical, political, scientific and other resources and holding the players accountable for the roles they play in the process (UNAIDS, 2012).
Sustaining all inclusive leadership which is vital for sustaining responses which are integral and incorporated into the nationwide development efforts (UNAIDS, 2012).
Conclusively, it is vital to come up with programs that will be vital for creating awareness about the dangers associated with HIV/AIDS and the efforts that have to be put in place in addressing the epidemic. Local governments and health care organizations are also supposed to be on the forefront in solving the issues that crop up from this disease.
References
Calsyn, D. A., Burlew, A. K., Hatch-Maillette, M. A., Beadnell, B., Wright, L., & Wilson, J. (2013). An HIV prevention intervention for ethnically diverse men in substance abuse treatment: pilot study findings. American journal of public health, 103(5), 896-902.
CDC. (2015). About the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP) | HIV/AIDS | CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/dhap/about.html
Jovet-Toledo, G. G., Clatts, M. C., Rodriguez-Diaz, C. E., Goldsamt, L., & Vargas-Molina, R. L. (2014). Risk factors for suicide attempts in a clinic-based sample of people living with HIV in Puerto Rico. AIDS care, 26(8), 1032-1035.
Macartney, S., Bishaw, A., & Fontenot, K. (2013). Poverty rates for selected detailed race and Hispanic groups by state and place: 2007–2011. US Department of Commerce, United States Census Bureau: Washington, DC, USA.
Rivera, M. (2015). Carolina, Puerto Rico "Welcome to Puerto Rico! History, Government, Geography, and Culture". Retrieved from http://www.topuertorico.org/city/carolina.shtml
UNAIDS. (2012). Global HIV/AIDS Organizations "Welcome to AIDS.gov". Retrieved from https://www.aids.gov/federal-resources/around-the-world/global-hiv-aids-organizations
United States Census Bureau. (2014). Income in Puerto Rico Holds Steady After Recession. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-17.html
Villanova University. (2016). DMAIC Methodology | A Six Sigma Process Improvement Method. Retrieved from http://www.villanovau.com/resources/six-sigma/six-sigma-methodology-dmaic/#.Voz2PLZ95ko
