Human Immune Deficiency HIV is the virus that causes AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency. The virus is spread through contact with the mucous membranes and the semi epidermal cells with infected bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk (Aids.gov). In Britain the most prevalent method of HIV transmission is through having unprotected sexual intercourse, the sharing needles is also another cause of HIV infections (Avert.org). Mother to child transmissions are rare, especially in the cases where the pregnant ladies attend prenatal clinics since HIV screening is mandatory. It is not spread through regular contact with infected people, swimming pools, kissing, mosquito bites or sharing of cutlery.
The symptoms of HIV infection only manifest a few weeks after infection at which point the individual may experience muscle aches, fever, headaches, rashes or swelling of the lymph glands. These symptoms often go unnoticed for long because of their similarity to other viral infections. (McGuire 1). The period it takes for the most severe symptoms to manifest. These symptoms include fever, diarrhea, weight and chronic appetite loss, fatigue and lethargy. Unlike other viruses that the body combats and gets rid of them completely from the body, HIV cannot be destroyed completely by the immune system. Thus, once you have HIV, you get it for the rest of your life. HIV attacks the body immune system cells known as CD4 that help the body fight and protect it against other infections and diseases. HIV does this by reducing the number of CD4 cell count, which weakens the immune system of the body and hinders other micro-organisms that prevent diseases from affecting the body (Aids.gov).
The research was conducted in London, particularly in West End where there are many people, thus increasing the sample size and the likelihood that it represented the wide demographic variety of people living in London. The main aim of the research project is to draw awareness to the HIV pandemic on its causes, preventive methods among others, hence, the questions in the questionnaire enabled the person to know what was the audience take on the topic and to what extent they knew about it (Avert.org). The age ranges were adapted with the mindset of them being the predominately sexually active category, and also, they are the next generation to whom the attention on HIV should be drawn. It was conducted through the use of questionnaires handed out at random. The participants were required to fill out the questionnaires which contained close-ended questions with the option of not revealing personal information where they were not comfortable doing so.
Handing out questionnaires makes it personal, and allows the participant to ask questions where the questions are not clear. It also allows the participants to ask questions about the research; it allows the researcher to ask for clarifications and make commentaries on the questionnaires about the questions or the participants in general. However, the method is time-consuming for the researcher and relies on the researcher’s ability to be unprejudiced and impartial. In addition, to which the participants are less likely to be truthful for fear of being judged. The researcher may also face challenges of the selected sample size being prejudiced and unwilling to cooperate (McGuire 1).
Research shows that a high number of individual newly infected with the HIV are young people aged between the age of eighteen and twenty-four. This is due to a need to explore their sexuality, and they tend to be reckless, especially because of drug and alcohol influence. They also tend to experiment with injectable drugs. It also shows that majority of middle-aged people who are infected acquired the virus when they were between age 18-24 (Avert.org). There is a need to lay down communication channels that allow young people access to the information as well as access to protection. Research shows that young women are more vulnerable to the risk of HIV infections. There is a need to empower women to have the ability to say no unprotected sex and equip them with the means to protect themselves. This will entail giving them sufficient knowledge of how to deal with situations where they think they might be in danger of infection. Self-defense classes to fight off when they believe that they are at risk of rape and issuing them with condoms as well as eliminating the shame associated with asking for or buying condoms (Avert.org).
During the research, it emerged that 50% of the sample had taken a HIV test at some point in the previous year. They had taken the test due to workplace requirements, health insurance requirements, and pressure from their partner. Only 20 percent had taken the test out of their own volition. The data also showed that out of the sample of a hundred participants have had a relative or friend who had died or was infected with the virus.
Thirty percent of the sample was infected with HIV and were living positively. Forty percent were negative, and the rest were not comfortable sharing this information with others. Ninety percent of those infected had acquired it through unprotected sexual intercourse while they rested, had become infected through other means. Sixty percent of those infected were women. Ninety percent of the sample believed that it was possible to live a healthy life, even after infection and said that they would support their friend, relative or spouse if they were living with HIV.
The research determined that there has been a change of attitude towards those living with HIV. It also showed that there was a need to increase the awareness on the need to get tested and have protected sex at all times.
Work Cited
AIDS.Gov, "What Is HIV/AIDS?". Aids.gov. N.p., 2016. 28 Apr. 2016.
Avert.Org, Avert. "What Are HIV And AIDS? | AVERT". Avert.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
McGuire, C H. "Contributions And Challenges Of Medical Education Research". Academic Medicine 71.10 (1996): S121-9. Web
