1. Using relevant examples, discuss the government policies on HIV/AIDS, prevention and control (20mks) Definition of terms Government policies- These are the course of actions or inactions taken by the state with regard to a particular issue. HIV- This is the virus that destroys the human immune system leaving the body defenseless hence vulnerable to other infections. AIDS- The disease presents itself as a collection of signs and symptoms resulting from lowered immunity mostly due to HIV hence referred to as a syndrome. Prevention- It refers to avoiding or staying away from risky things. Control- To reduce or prevent the spread of something.
POLICIES The 1st step was the government approval of session paper No. 4 on AIDS in Kenya in September 1997. Its objectives are to give direction on how to handle controversial issues while taking into account prevailing circumstances and the socio-cultural environment and also to enable the government to play the leadership role in HIV/AIDS. In 1999, the government declared HIV/AIDS as a national disaster and established NACC (National AIDS Control Council) to coordinate the national response to the epidemic. The government also approved legislation making it illegal to engage in employment discrimination of HIV infected persons.
More so, the government promotes the ongoing distribution of creative education, training and media programs explicitly designed to change attitudes of discrimination and stigmatization associated with HIV/AIDS to understanding and acceptance. The government allowed expansion of strategic policy to include NGOs, CBOs, Religious leaders and academic institutions as well to help in strengthening the methodology of data collection and complimenting government initiatives. Provision of cost-effective prevention, treatment, care and support services, informed by an engendered right-based approach, to realize universal access.
This is through VCTs across the country and provision of government nurses and doctors in rural areas who give regular visits to areas which suffer lack of medical centers in their communities. Long-term programming, addressing both the root causes and effects of the epidemic and ways of controlling the spread and possibly eradicating it as a national disaster. Another strategic plan by the government is to test 2million Kenyans for HIV annually. This was launched in 2009, a programme providing door-to-door HIV testing and counseling for those living in remote areas with little access to health care.
Establishment and support of legal support services that will educate people affected by HIV/AIDS about their rights, provide legal services to enforce those rights, develop expertise on HIV related legal issues and utilize means of protection in addition to the courts e. g. Offices of ministries of Justice and Human Rights Commissions. PREVENTION AND CONTROL This is using a number of methods to reduce or eliminate the risk of HIV transmission between people. There are three main ways ie) Sexual transmission, Blood transmission and mother-to-child transmission. Using treatment as prevention is a method that has emerged in recent years.
Good adherence to antiretroviral treatment can lower a person’s viral load hence reducing the risk of onward HIV transmission. Mother-to-child infection can be prevented by use of antiretroviral prophylaxis by HIV positive pregnant women. Studies have shown that the number of mother-to-child infection has dropped from 27% in 2007 to 14. 9% in 2011. Male circumcision should be practiced. This reduces the risk of female-male transmission of HIV by 60%. These findings have led to the decisions by UNAIDS and the World Health Organizations to recommend circumcision as an important element in HIV prevention.
Through biomedical HIV prevention interventions; In 2009, more than 110,000 individuals received antiretroviral prophylaxis following a potential HIV exposure. It is intended for people at risk of exposure e. g. In the case of couples where one partner is HIV posite while the other is HIV negative. Forging of safer sexual behaviors through communications strategies on the general population using numerous channels, eg) Counseling, books and media. Use of condoms to encourage practice of safer sex. This is taught in schools, seminars for the youth, churches etc.
Abstinence and discouragement of premarital sex especially for the unmarried also prevents the spread of HIV/AIDS. Both married and unmarried couples should abstain from having multiple sexual partners to reduce the risk of contracting the HIV infection. Prevention of HIV infected blood can be greatly be reduced by screening all blood supplies for the virus and by heat-treating blood products where possible. If you are a health worker, always wear protective gloves in situations that involve exposure to blood or other body fluids.
Drug users should be provided with a good supply of new or sterilised needles and syringes through needle and syringe exchange programmes. It is one of the main methods grouped under the term ‘ harm reduction’ used to prevent HIV infection from injecting drug use. Methadone maintainance and other drug treatment programmes are also effective ways to eliminate the risk of HIV infection as the need to inject drugs altogether.
CONCLUSION HIV/AIDS is a world pandemic. Although we are making new advances in combating this virus, there are many new infections every year. The best way to keep yourself safe is to stay informed.
You should know how it spreads and how to prevent it. You should take a HIV/AIDS test if you are involved in any risky behaviours. You should educate others the importance of getting tested and ways of preventing it. There is no cure for this virus so it leaves no room for ignorance about its existence. Though HIV positive, there are drugs that can help you live longer with the virus while living a normal healthy life. It is never too late.
References * Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2008-09, KNBS, NACC, NASCOP, KEMRI, NCPAD, USAID, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS. * Education Sector policy on the HIV/AIDS, Republic of Kenya, UNESCO. * INTERNET.