Sunday, May 5, 2013

Title page

Monday, May 6, 2013

Title Page







Combating The Spread of AIDS
 
 
 
 
Veronica Keith
 
 
 
English 102
 
Leslie Jewkes
 
May 6, 2013
 
 
 
Preface
 
One of the first thoughts that comes to mind when someone hears about AIDS is that only homosexuals can contract AIDS. That belief system is a huge myth. Contracting AIDS does not come from for your sexual preference but by the actions one chooses to take. Sexual encounters or sharing needles for drug use can leave you with more than regret. AIDS is an incurable disease and weakens the immune system causing one to become incredibly sick. Every 12 seconds someone around the world is diagnosed with AIDS, and every 16 seconds AIDS takes someone's life. Because there is not a magic word to say to be able to eliminate AIDS from the world, we have to start by taking small steps to help others in need. Starting by removing all discrimination against people who have AIDS is a huge step in the right direction. Another step towards combating the spread of AIDS is to take the little bit that we know about AIDS and spread it around our community, and to our family and friends. Starting small will help lead to big changes. 

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Local Essay


College of Western Idaho

 

 Spread Knowledge Not AIDS

Combating AIDS in Idaho

 


Veronica Keith

0100743

English 0W11

Leslie Jewkes

March, 12 2013
 
 

ABSTRACT
There is a lack of knowledge when it comes to HIV/AIDS. There have been many facts and myths tossed around causing some to be confused as to what is a fact and what is a myth. Plenty of research has been done about this incurable disease. However, there is low percentage of awareness amongst teenagers and young adults as to exactly what HIV/AIDS is and how it comes in contact with us.


Spread Knowledge Not AIDS
         At one point or another everyone has heard of AIDS. But, what is AIDS?  Most people know it’s an incurable disease and others know only those living in developing countries can have AIDS. Yes, AIDS is incurable; however the reality is that anyone can contract AIDS. It does not matter if someone is a homosexual or a heterosexual. Contracting AIDS comes from drug use, being sexually active, and other bodily fluids. There are so many individuals who do not see the harm in those one-night-stands or having multiple partners. Sexual encounters are one of the leading ways to receive AIDS. ”About 56,000 people in the U.S. get HIV each year, and 18,000 people with AIDS die each year. Anyone can get HIV -- men, women, and children, people who are gay or straight” (AIDS United). A total of “1.2 million people are living with AIDS in the United States, with a fifth being unaware of their status” (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS).  So, that one-night-stand so many young adults and teens are having has the potential to cause more than just regret. A scary statistic is that “Idaho ranked 45th highest among the 50 states in cumulative reported AIDS cases” (AIDS in Idaho).   

The above graph is from 2006 to 2009 and it shows how many Idaho residents are living with HIV/AIDS. It is highly doubtful that many Idahoans, especially teens and young adults are aware of these statistics. There is a lack of knowledge about AIDS and us as a community must give out factual information about this terrible disease and how to prevent it.

            It is important to spread facts in Idaho because not everyone knows what AIDS is or what it causes. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, “AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV” (Basic Statistics). Meaning a person could get infected with HIV and later develop AIDS.

“If you contract HIV/AIDS the illness will alter your immune system making you much more vulnerable to other infections and diseases which then worsens the HIV/AIDS disease. Someone who is infected with HIV does not always look sick, and the majority of the time they do not even know they are HIV positive” ( The AIDS Epidemic).

What most people think about AIDS is that people can get infected from mosquito bites, being sneezed on or swimming in the same pool as someone with AIDS. The truth is HIV/AIDS does not spread easily from person to person. “Being infected with HIV/AIDS has never been known to come from the spread of sweat, tears or saliva” (The AIDS Epidemic). However, even a small amount of blood in the mouth of the person you are kissing, who is HIV positive can be transmitted over to you. Some people like to think that HIV/AIDS happens to other people and that it will not happen so close to home. We often think that we are “AIDS” proof. This is exactly what my Uncle Jason thought. When talking to my dad about his brother being HIV/AIDS positive I could  hear the pain in his voice from having to suffer through the loss of his brother. My dad shared with me his memory of how his brother Jason was infected with HIV when his partner, Larry, cheated on him and became HIV positive. Jason and Larry had been in a relationship for 7 years, and built their relationship on love and trust.  When Jason found out Larry had been unfaithful he was heartbroken, and a few months later when Jason found out he was now HIV positive he was distraught. Larry died only 4 months after he found out he was infected with HIV/AIDS. Jason was at an all time low; he recently found out he was HIV positive and now he had to go through losing the love of his life. My dad went on remembering how Jason use to say,

“I have my Master’s degree in business, I graduated top in my class, and I’m only 33 years old, how can I be HIV positive?”

Jason was so bitter about being HIV positive, he wanted to make others suffer. For 9 months he had casual sexual encounters without telling his partners he was HIV positive. My dad said he finally had to put a stop to it. He confronted Jason and told him he needed to stop. Jason stopped and began to accept his new life. Because of his massive medical bills, Jason was forced to move back in with his Mom. My dad began to notice Jason was drastically losing weight; he was losing in between 1 to 5 pounds a month. His body was slowly giving up on him. My dad described to me how much everyone’s relationship with Jason changed when they found out he was HIV positive. Everyone started acting like he had leprosy. Jason’s closest friend and family were all scared to touch him, talk to him, and some were afraid to even be in the same room as him. My dad goes on reminiscing about a birthday party where all the family was in attendance. He says:

“My son, Billy was just a toddler at the time and Jason went to share a piece of his cake with him. Jason took a bite of the cake, then handed Billy the same fork Jason had been using. I instantly jumped up and slapped the fork out of Jason’s hand. Sure, it was rude but there was no way I was risking my son getting HIV” (Keith).

My dad, like most people, thought HIV can be contracted by simply touching someone who was infected by the disease. Jason lived being HIV positive for 2 years. After he was infected with AIDS, 6 months later at the age of 35, my Uncle Jason died. I was 5 years old when he died. I never got a chance to know my Uncle. My dad use to think that the only reason his brother contracted HIV/AIDS was because he was a homosexual. “In 2010 more than 12,875 heterosexual men and women were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS” (The AIDS Epidemic). HIV/AIDS does not discriminate against age, color, or sex. “3000 adolescents under the age of 13 were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the United States in 2009” (The AIDS Epidemic), while the majority of people diagnosed with AIDS were in between the ages of 20 to 24. I am 22 years old and cannot even begin to imagine how I would feel if I were to be diagnosed with AIDS, let alone how my family and loved ones would feel. Again, the fact is that anyone can become infected with HIV/AIDS. There is so much to know about this horrible disease and yet so little is being done to share the information that could possibly save a life. While talking about his brother, my dad mentioned how he wishes no one would ever have to go through that with a family member. If we have the information and the knowledgeable people why is there not more being done?

            With how much sex is in music and on television, it is nearly impossible for us to preach abstinence. Shows such as “16 and pregnant” and “Teen Mom” almost glorify and promote sexual activity at a young age. Parents often think that if their child is using a condom then that is all the protection they will need, just as long as their son or daughter doesn’t end up a teenage parent. We need to inform parents and teens that having a baby is the least of their worries. Aside from all the other terrible sexually transmitted diseases, anyone who is sexually active with someone who is HIV positive will also contract HIV. Transmitting HIV/AIDS is not just specific to intercourse either. “Oral sex and even some cases of deep kissing have been known to cause the spread of HIV” (Combating the Aids Epidemic). Some people don’t show signs of being HIV positive for years after being infected. They go about living their lives as they normally would, not knowing they are carrying this deadly weapon. They still have their sexual encounters, and now the person they just had intercourse with is now HIV positive as well, and will more than likely pass it on to another person. This must stop!

Within the last year Idaho has decreased 7% in HIV/AIDS cases and need to keep seeing that percentage increase. Providing factual information will help increase that percentage “Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease. World AIDS Day, on the first of December is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS” (Combating the Spread of AIDS). Now is a great chance to hold meeting in our community and schools. Schools have assembles for drunk driving and drug use. HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention should be right alongside those topics as well. Drug use and HIV/AIDS go hand in hand since one can also contract HIV/AIDS from sharing needles for drugs. We must educate ourselves and others with the myths and facts about HIV/AIDS. A very common myth about HIV/AIDS is that death occurs quickly. The fact is that for HIV to become infected with AIDS it can take anywhere from 1 to 12 years. Unless one knows right away that they are HIV positive they could very well go on for 10 or more years living with and spreading a very grave possession to have. “You can help prevent HIV from processing into AIDS by seeing your doctor regularly and following your doctors recommendations” (Combating the Spread of Aids). Yes, there is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there is medicine to slow the process way down and help keep you alive longer. This in turn is the information that we should be giving to our family, friends and our community.

To help make these meetings and assemblies possible we all need to make a conscience decision to do so. We can start by doing simple things by donating time, by helping bake goods for a fundraiser, by handing out flyers, or by give a monetary donation to help support the cause. “World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done” (Slater ). Make every day World AIDS day by spreading facts and not AIDS, because “it is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance” (Iverson).

Works Cited

"AIDS United." AIDS United. N.p., 8 May 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.aidsunited.org>. 

"AIDS in Idaho." AIDS in Idaho. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://Healthandwelfare.idaho.gov>. 

"Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS ." Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS . N.p., 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.alphaidaho.org>. 

"Basic Statistics | Statistics and Surveillance | Topics | CDC HIV/AIDS." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm>.

"Combating the Aids Epidemic." Inpharma Weekly. (2001): 3. Print.

"Combating the Spread of Aids." Nursing Standard (royal College of Nursing (great Britain) : 1987). 5.49 (1991): 28. Print.

Iverson, Donald C, and W J. Popham. "Combating Aids on the Front Lines." School Administrator. 49.8 (1992): 22. Print.

Keith, William. Phone interview. 22 Feb. 2013.

Slater, M. "Combating Aids: Communication Strategies in Action." Journal of Health Communication. 9 (2004): 85-87. Print.

"The AIDS Epidemic and Sociological Enquiry." American Sociological Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. http://www.asanet.org/footnotes/apr01/fn18.html.

 


Annotated Bibliography

Iverson, Donald C, and W J. Popham. "Combating Aids on the Front Lines." School Administrator. 49.8 (1992): 22. Print.

What I gathered from the description of this article is focusing on AIDS in school. There seems to be a lack of knowledge on the risk of receiving HIV or AIDS. This article is to help students be more realistic about the spread of AIDS. I feel this will be a great source for my paper when writing about the AIDS epidemic in Idaho.

Slater, M. "Combating Aids: Communication Strategies in Action." Journal of Health Communication. 9 (2004): 85-87. Print.

This is a great article for my paper. It gives examples of communities coming together to take action against AIDS. Communities are helping give factual information on this terrible disease to better knowledge everyone.

"Combating the Spread of Aids." Nursing Standard (royal College of Nursing (great Britain) : 1987). 5.49 (1991): 28. Print.

I really like this article for my paper about combating AIDS in Idaho. So many people think that AIDS is something that “other” people get, when reality is anyone can contract AIDS if they come in contact with it. People need to be more attentive on what causes the spread of AIDS.

"Combating the Aids Epidemic." Inpharma Weekly. (2001): 3. Print.

AIDS all around is just so terrible. I like this article for the majority of my papers I will have to write. The article gives great quotes and information about AIDS around the world and not just in the United States.

"AIDS in Idaho." AIDS in Idaho. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://Healthandwelfare.idaho.gov>.  This is an awesome website. It gives statics and facts on the aids epidemic in Idaho. It shows the increases and decreaes over the years and it also shows other great facts on combating AIDS.

"Basic Statistics | Statistics and Surveillance | Topics | CDC HIV/AIDS." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm>.

Even though the title of this doesn’t really grab your attention, it was a great site. It helped me gather all the statistics about Idahoans living with AIDS as well as in other states. Another statistic I liked having the stat of homosexuals living with AIDS as well has heterosexuals.

"Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS ." Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS . N.p., 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.alphaidaho.org>. 

This was one of my favorite resources because it really pointed out exactly what can be done as a prevention of AIDS. It gave examples, ideas and other resources to use. I also like that there is a World AIDS prevention day and other awareness activities to be done.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Personal Writings


 
Spread knowledge not AIDS
 
"Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS."
Nelson Mandela

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Brochure







Visual Elements




Interviews


Phone Interview with Jamie Clark, Senior Research Analysis of Health Policy and Vital Statics in Idaho.


Question: How many people in Idaho are living with AIDS?

Answer: More than there should be. I believe the latest report I have is from 2009 and there were about 500 Idaho residents living with AIDS. This number is probably not accurate since one in five individuals are not aware they have been infected with HIV.

Question: What education or prevention actions does Idaho take against AIDS?

Answer: There are a few different options on educating yourself about AIDS. Idaho has a care and treatment that is administered through the district health departments and other community based organizations throughout. One of our more popular is the Ryan White Assistance Program and services for that are administered directly through the Family Planning, STD and HIV Program.

Question: What are the chances of eventually stopping AIDS?

Answer: On a global level, probably not very good. In Idaho, however, it might be a possibility to be able to have very few residents living with AIDS. There has been a 7% decrease in AIDS over the years in Idaho and if that number continues to decrease we have a good chance of having little to no AIDS at all, only in Idaho of course.

Question: What is the average race age, and gender of the people in Idaho living with AIDS?

Answer: That’s a good question. The majority of them are male around the ages of 22-35, and yes, most of them are homosexual, however, as I’m sure you know, one does not have to be homosexual to have AIDS. Lately we have been seeing a lot of African Americans contracting AIDS.

Answer: Do you think if more people were education about AIDS there wouldn’t be so many cases?

Question: Absolutely. Education plays a huge role is a lot of diseases. Such a breast cancer, women know to see their physician to get a pap smear, and there are tons of marathons and awareness months for breast cancer and other types of cancer, but we hardly ever see one for AIDS. People with AIDS tend to feel even more vulnerable and shunned because AIDS is such a scary disease and not many people know what AIDS is all about.
 
 


Phone interview with Terri Carrigan, Health Program Specialist of Sexual and Reproduction Health



Question: In Idaho, what seems to be the most common way to contract AIDS?
Answer: Aside from the fact of lack of knowledge I would have to say that it is sexual intercourse amongst two individuals where one of them does not know they have HIV and then passes it on to the other person. AIDS is a very scary disease because you first contract HIV and have little to no signs or symptoms so anyone who that person has a sexual encounter with will then also contract HIV. There is no cure for HIV so it always transitions into AIDS which is what eventually takes their life.
Question: About how long does it take for HIV to turn into AIDS?
Answer:  This may be a difficult question to answer. A person who is HIV positive can go years before developing AIDS. There is no set time. Many factors are involved such as medication therapy, how well the person takes care of themself, the strength of their immune system and others. Some people may develop AIDS within a matter of months or a year or so. Others may stay HIV positive for 20 years or more before developing AIDS. Almost all cases of HIV/AIDS are different so it’s hard to give an exact answer.
 


 

Letters of Inquiry


Aimee Shipman,

 

My name is Veronica Keith, I am a college student and I am writing a report about HIV/AIDS in Idaho. If there is any information or statistics you can tell me about that would be greatly appreciated.

 
Thank you for your help.


Veronica Keith

Response:


Ms. Keith –

 

Thanks for contacting us. You should find what you’re looking for if you would access the following link:

 


 

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions!


 

Allen P. Haumann

My name is Veronica Keith, I am a college student and I am writing a report about HIV/AIDS in Idaho. If there is any information or statistics you can tell me about that would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for you help.

 

Veronica Keith