During SpARC, I attended two different presentation presenting similar but different perspectives on the treatment of HIV/AIDS in the country of Uganda, and how it affects not only the people infected, but whole societies and communities. Although these presentations don’t have much to do with what we are discussing in class, I found them quite interesting and wanted to share them with the class.
The first presenter had actual experience in the country, which I found interesting because I have also spent time as a health worker in Uganda. However, she had done work in the capital city in a large university hospital while my own experience had been in a small village clinic. I thought it was especially interesting to find that in the hospital she interned with, they offer patient counseling to encourage continuing with treatment and try to retain the patients that are diagnosed. They offer first education of the disease, to try to eliminate or at least lessen the great stigma that is placed upon those with HIV/AIDS in the country currently. They also offer psychosocial help, and family planning. I didn’t know before that a baby is very susceptible to contract the disease from its mother when the mother both breastfeeds and uses formula. However, if the mother doesn’t use formula, the baby will not contract the disease and can safely be breastfed (which is encouraged for health and cultural reasons).
Another great thing about the hospital presented on is that they have installed a program that hires “Health Visitors,” who are Ugandan natives who can go out into the communities to help with patient communication. Many Ugandans do not have access to much transportation or many forms of communication with the hospitals. Before the introduction of Health Visitors, patients would be lost because they would miss appointments and the hospital had no way of contacting them. Now, the Health Visitors can go and check on the patients that don’t make their appointments. The Health visitors also go to patients when they are suspected to not be taking their medications or might just need a little extra support. I was surprised to hear that while the retention rate for patients was only 50% before, it is now up to 95% because Health Visitors are able to help patients help themselves.
The second presenter talked about the less medical, more social side of HIV/AIDS treatment. Her research was directed specifically at the southern Rakai District of Uganda, and how it has affected the entire community there and has had a “ripple effect.” The greatest impact has been on the agricultural economy, which the people depend on, and education. As far as agriculture goes, there has been a great amount of labor force depletion because those infected with HIV/AIDS are unable to work, or cultivate any crops. Because of the decrease in crops, even more people are getting inadequate nutrition. The people depend on agriculture for both sustenance and as cash crops. Education is effected in three different ways- supply, demand, and quality of schools. Demand is lessened because more and more children are required to stay home and work or take care of their parents/grandparents who cannot care for themselves when infected. Because there is less demand, there are less teachers and facilities for those children who are able to go to school. Also, the quality is decreased because the few teachers available are less trained and dedicated.
The condition of HIV/AIDS positive people in Uganda is regrettable, but is improving slightly as people are more and more educated on the disease. It was interesting to see the different perspectives on the same issue. In conclusion, both presenters did well in showing the problem that I also encountered while in the country of Uganda.
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