scholarly journals Microbicides: A New Frontier in HIV/AIDS Prevention

Elements ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kenny

Sexually transmitted diseases have long been a taboo subject among many cultures and creeds. Although the stigma surroudning these unfortunate illnesses arises from their sexual nature, sheer ignorance must be blamed for the way people perceive them. The idea of acquring the HIV virus and possibly developing AIDS has struck fear in the lives of the sexually activte, especially those individuals who cannot protect themselves-the poor, powerless women of our world. Though many structural barriers act to oppress these human beings, the lack of a vacicine for HIV/AIDS proves to be their greatest hardship. The current development of microbicides, however, gives them hope. Utilizing the latest research from experts in the area of HIV/AIDS, this essay attempts to inform our greater community of the ability of microbicides to combat both a physical and social disease that has plagued society for too long.

1993 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 59-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Ward

No longer a disease exclusively of homosexual men, HIV/AIDS is increasingly prevalent in women and children, especially among the poor. The social and cultural patterns associated with the disease in this population are very different than they are among homosexual men, as are many of the measures needed to address the problems of those infected. Substantial bureaucracies already provide services to poor women, and newly created AIDS agencies are adding women to their rolls. But the professionals who work within these institutions are dealing less with a new disease than with an old problem, namely, how to provide care to a population already afflicted by poverty, racism, sexism, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, and other problems.


2001 ◽  

Stigma is a common human reaction to disease. Throughout history many diseases have carried considerable stigma, including leprosy, tuberculosis, cancer, mental illness, and many sexually transmitted diseases. HIV/AIDS is only the latest disease to be stigmatized. This paper reviews 21 interventions that have explicitly attempted to decrease AIDS stigma both in the developed and developing countries and 9 studies that aim to decrease stigma related with other diseases. The studies selected met stringent evaluation criteria in order to draw common lessons for future development of interventions to combat stigma. This paper assesses published and reported studies through comparison of audiences, types of interventions, and methods used to measure change. Target audiences include both those living with or suspected of living with a disease and perpetrators of stigma. All interventions reviewed target subgroups within these broad categories. Types of programs include general information-based programs, contact with affected groups, coping skills acquisition, and counseling approaches. A limited number of scales and indices were used as indicators of change in AIDS stigma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Yu ◽  
Liangliang Shen ◽  
Yufei Li ◽  
Jingjun Zhao ◽  
Heping Liu

Background: Hospital is an important place for HIV/AIDS screening, and a general hospital is composed of multiple departments. Different departments have different levels of understanding of HIV/AIDS, especially the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) department is the main place for HIV/AIDS screening. Objective: The study aims to validate the common knowledge that the STD department is an important place for HIV/AIDS screening by comparing the epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients in the STD department and other departments in Tongji Hospital, which can provide a theoretical basis for the precise and differentiated control of HIV/AIDS. Methods: A total of 283,525 HIV screening cases were analyzed from January 1st 2006 to December 31st 2018 in the STD department and other departments. The epidemiological data of 226 HIV/AIDS cases were retrospectively analyzed. Results : Firstly, the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the population served by Tongji Hospital was higher than that in Shanghai and China. Secondly, the positive rate of HIV screening test in the STD department was ten times higher than that of other departments. Thirdly, the social-demographic characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients in the STD department were different from those in other departments. Fourthly, there were differences in age, education, marital status and number of sex partners between men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with women (MSW). Fifthly, there was no difference except age in social-demographic characteristics of MSM between the STD department and other departments. Sixthly, compared with other departments, the majority of HIV/AIDS patients in the STD department were MSM. Seventhly, syphilis and HIV co-infection were not statistically significant in HIV/AIDS patients between the STD department and other departments. Conclusion: Firstly, the significantly higher positive rate of an HIV screening test in the STD department emphasizes its importance as a place for screening HIV/AIDS patients. Secondly, HIV/AIDS patients diagnosed in the general hospital were mainly transmitted by sexual contact, and MSM accounted for the most part of these patients. More attention should be paid to screen outpatients, especially in the STD department and young men.


1999 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 942-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freddy A. Paniagua

Many older male adults experiencing impotence are being treated with Viagra. Scientific and media reports indicate that this medication is effective in re-establishing sexual relationships among these men. Despite the benefits that Viagra may have in the treatment of impotence among older adults, increased sexual activities could also facilitate the spread of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. This holds for older adults who may lack factual knowledge of HIV transmission and perceive themselves as nonsusceptible to this disease. Prescription of Viagra in combination with HIV/AIDS prevention programs may be helpful.


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