HIV AIDS In The South Essay Example for Free

HIV AIDS In The South Essay Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a killer disease caused by the human immune deficiency virus (HIV) which affects one’s immune system making them susceptible to opportunistic diseases that they succumb to. A person is said to be suffering from AIDS when the HIV has compromised their immune system triggering chronic fevers, constant diarrhea, significant unexplained weight losses, night sweats as well as swollen glands and thrush. (Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). HIV is thought to have started spreading as early as the late 70’s though official statistics have it that it was first recognized in 1981 in the US. The origin of the virus remain unclear with some arguing that it originated from the outer space, was artificially created, escaped from a laboratory or it is a natural virus that initially affected apelike creatures before it found its way to humans. (Johnson P, 2007). HIV spread widely to other regions and today it is deemed as a world pandemic with over 40 million people infected globally. Sadly, about 4 to 5 million people are infected with the virus annually while over 25 million people have so far succumbed to it. To date there is no known cure for HIV AIDS though scientific development have led to the usage of antiretroviral which work to prolong the life span of those infected. A unique factor about HIV is the fact that one can stay for as long as a decade without exhibiting any symptom that they are sick, a period in which they can infect others. As a matter of fact some research findings have it that the spread of HIV is more intense in the latent period. (Irwin A, Millen J and Fallows D, 2003). It is difficult to give the exact figures of those infected as many people have not been tested but one approach used by epidemiologists is estimation. Specific groups such as pregnant women, prisoners, people joining the military service and patients in the varied states are tested and CDC uses these estimates to approximate the number of people infected with the virus while putting into account people’s behavioral changes. (Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). Although no biological links have been found to explain why some races are more susceptible to acquiring the virus in the US, blacks and the Hispanics are more affected than the whites. Gay people or homosexuals as well as those abusing drugs through injection are also at a higher risk of acquiring the virus. A research established that roughly, half the infected persons were gay men while over 20% were drug abusers who used infected needles. People engaging in unsafe sexual intercourse with many partners are also at a higher risk of contracting the virus. (Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). A unique factor about HIV AIDS is the fact that unlike other fatal diseases which are airborne and hence contagious it cannot be transmitted through a handshake or sneezing. Again, though some traces of the virus can be found on saliva, tears and sweat it cannot be transferred through these modes. It can also not be passed on through insect bites as the virus only survives in humans. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008). HIV is passed on through contact with contaminated body fluids through anal, oral or coital sex, interjectory drug abuse, mother to child during birth as well as through breastfeeding. Precautionary measures during and after birth have been adopted to prevent the mother to child transmission and much progress have been made. This makes the containment of the HIV manageable as people’s behaviors play a vital role in curbing its spread. Weiss G and Lonnquist L, 2008). Susan, Kristin and Kathryn in ‘HIV infection and Aids in the Deep south’ noted that there are many discrepancies in the manner at which HIV AIDS trends are registered in the US. The southern region of the US which comprises of 16 states namely; Virginia, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky, Washington, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Oklahoma registers higher rates when compared to other states. (Reif S, Geonnotti, Whetten K. 2006). Variances are also evident among the varying states with some recording higher rates than others. Some states record similar trends in as far as HIV and AIDS infections are concerned for instance; North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana register similar trends. The term ‘Deep South’ was coined to describe those states that had a history in agriculture especially in cotton as well as slave trade. These states have disproportionately been affected by the HIVAIDS pandemic in the USA. 2000-2003 statistics have it that in this region HIVAIDS infection raised by up to 35. % while the rate in other states in the south were as low as 4% and the national rate with an exception of the southern states stood at 5. 2%. (Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K, 2006). The prevailing conditions in the South can be blamed on various factors such as poor health conditions as can be bore witness by the poor health indicators in the region. Three states in this region recorded the highest death rates, highest rates for diabetes, stroke, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and Chlamydia as well as infant mortality rates. The Deep South region which has the highest prevalence rate for HIV infections is largely predominated by African Americans. (Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K. 2006). Other characteristics of the Deep South region include high rates of illiteracy as many do not graduate from colleges. Most people in the Deep South region also have no health insurance which can be explained by the higher rates of poor health indicators. The levels of poverty and unemployment are higher in the Deep South region when compared with the other regions in the US. Higher rates of unemployment mean that the rates of poverty are higher and this is true both at an individual as well as at the family level. Higher rates of HIV infections in the Deep South region were recorded among women as well as African Americans. (Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K. 2006). The higher rates of sexual transmitted diseases in the Deep South are thought to have a relationship or link with the high rates of HIV infections in the region. This is attributed to the fact that medical experts argue that sexually transmitted diseases have a role to play in as far as the facilitating of the virus spread is concerned. Lack of accessibility to quality health care services among these people is also thought to play a significant role in spreading the virus. (Ellerbrock V et al, 2004). Sociological theories argue that man is a social being and does not exist in a vacuum. One’s surrounding predisposes a person to behaving in a certain manner. Values, norms and expectations of the society are passed on from one generation to the next through the various socializing agents such as schools, families, peers and mass media as well as through religion. (Andersen M and Taylor H, 2001). People’s surroundings also play a vital role in determining their behaviors. In poverty stricken areas the effectiveness of schools in passing on values will be compromised triggering bad behavior such as drug abuse and carefree lifestyles. Poverty also leads to ‘innovation’ where people adopt illegal means to attaining the societal values. Prostitution for instance is a clear illustration of a failing society which states is material success objective commonly know as the ‘American Dream’ but fails to offer clear cut means to attaining it especially to the disadvantaged groups. Andersen M and Taylor H, 2001). Poverty triggers higher rates of HIV infection as it denies the poor a chance to access vital health information that would ensure that certain diseases were prevented. Public health education is in most cases done in the health care facilitates and those who cannot access them are cut off. Some may also not understand the mode of communication used due to illiteracy triggered by poverty. Poverty is also associated with desperation and hopelessness which sees people engage in drug and other substance abuse which predisposes them to contracting the virus. People who abuse drugs risk contracting HIV especially when contaminated needles are used. Another risk that makes drugs increase the tendency of one contracting the virus is the fact that they compromise one’s reasoning ability and consequently may see them engage in risky behaviors such as unsafe sexual intercourse with many partners whose status is unknown. (Ellerbrock V et al, 2004). In terms of racial background one can argue that the region is disadvantaged in the sense that it is comprised of more African Americans, a race known for lack of health insurance as well as higher poverty rates. Many African Americans are poor and this places them at a higher risk in as far as contracting HIV is concerned. Discrimination especially in incarceration of African Americans in the Deep South precipitates concurrent sexual practices which in turn paves way for HIV AIDS. (Adimora A and Schoenbach J, 2002). Young African American women as well as others from the disadvantaged communities are at a higher risk of contracting the virus. Poverty could drive them into prostitution where they may not have the chance to negotiate for safer sex. In most cases women have been identified as the weaker sex and consequently they have no say in the male dominated society. Biologically women are at a higher chance of contracting HIV than men as the vagina is more receptive to substances than the male penis. Poverty leads to lack of proper education which is essential if educational programs on health are to be successful Illiterate people also tend to be ignorant and this predisposes them to HIV. Provision of preventive programs is impossible in the poverty stricken regions thus precipitating the high rates of HIV AIDS in the Deep South region. People from the Deep South who have been infected with the virus will develop AIDS quickly due to the inaccessibility of health care services. (Ellerbrock V et al, 2004). HIV AIDS prevalence also varies with geographical regions in terms rural versus urban regions with the former recording higher rates than the later. People in the rural areas encounter more difficulties when trying to access quality health care services as opposed to those in the urban areas. This hinders them accessibility to preventive programs such as the educative or informative programs that would have seen them reduce their chances or acquiring the HIV virus. The rural areas record lower chances of attaining or rather accessing health care professionals and they also have problems accessing treatment making their conditions worse. People in the rural areas are consequently forced to travel to the urban areas to seek medical services and some are too poor that the transportation costs are a burden to them. (Adimora A et al, 2004). The Deep South region is also known to have higher rates of stigmatization with the HIV AIDS, a factor that sees the rates of HIV escalate. The belief that people belong to a specified social status which cannot be changed also plays a role in cementing the spread of HIV, given the fact that poverty has a strong association with HIV prevalence rates. Some people in the Deep South have a strong distrust with their health care systems a factor that also contributes to higher prevalence rates of HIV AIDS as they will not respect the advices offered by their health care providers. Reif S, Geonnotti S, Whetten K, 2006). HIV AIDS in the South has remained higher than in the other states in the US due to many factors. Since the disease is not airborne but is spread through various intimate body contacts, mother to child or through the use of contaminated needles it can be effectively managed if people adopted positive behaviors. Reducing the number of sex partners that one has, war on drugs , and proper accessibility to health care facilities would be of significance in as far as the fight against HIV AIDS is concerned.

On Another’s Sorrow. Essay -- English Literature

On Another’s Sorrow. There is a strong religious theme running throughout this poem. Black uses the idea of sorrow to show, and how we deal with it to show the difference between humans and God. He does this by splitting the poem into two halves and looking at how a person and then God would deal with sorrow. Blake asks several questions, as it is in first person at this point I feel that it is Blake asking the questions, which are, ‘Can I see another’s woe, And not be in sorrow too? Can I see another’s grief, And not seek for kind relief?’ This is an example of Blake’s use for the rhetorical question, which stirs thoughts of how we cope with sorrow, which is shown when he asks, if I can not feel sorrow when I see another feeling sorrow?, and when I see another feeling grief can I not go and find relief from it? He answers this with ‘no it can never be.’ This then leads the reader to ask themselves where he will find this relief. Blake then in the second half of the poem shows that God is the one who you can seek relief in and who is there to help in t...

Kant and Sexual Morality Essay

German Philosopher Immanuel Kant claimed that it is morally wrong to use a person merely as a means to your end. This judgement helps us to understand and determined sexual morality. Thomas A. Mappes supports Kant’s claims and helps to further explain Kant’s statement by defining it and introducing the idea that one must give their voluntary informed consent in order for certain actions to be moral. Mappes also illustrates that voluntary informed consent can be undermined through both deception and coercion. This helps us in the understanding of sexual morality. It is important to understand what Kant means when claiming that it is morally wrong to use another person merely as a means to your end when making the decision whether or not this statement is relevant when talking about sexual morality. The word merely is where this statement claims immorality to be. Merely meaning only and without any consideration of another person by not showing them any human respect. We use people as a means to our end in everyday situations. If we are hungry we go to a shop and buy food. We are using the shopkeepers as a means to our end, when hunger is our end. However, we are not merely using the shopkeeper as a means to our end. Thomas Mappes explains this by saying if we are treating someone merely as a means to our end, then we are not respecting him or her as human beings. Voluntary informed consent, according to Mappes (p. 73 of course book) is central to the notion of treating people merely as a means to an end. Voluntary informed consent is where the person who is being used as a means to an end has given their full permission and consent. They are aware of what the person is trying to achieve and are willing to give their consent to this. Mappes uses the example of a person who has a gun put to their head and are forced to hand over $200. Although the person has given them the money, they did not do this voluntarily, therefore did not give their voluntary informed consent. However, if the person had asked for $200 and they were given the option to give the money without being forced, and choose to hand it over as a gift, then they have given their voluntary informed consent. Voluntary informed consent is important when looking at sexual morality, as if one has not given their voluntary informed consent to a partner, then it is morally wrong to pursue any sexual acts with them. According to Mappes, Voluntary informed consent can be undermined in two ways: deception and coercion. Coercion meaning forced to make voluntary informed consent and deception being tricked into voluntary informed consent. When making a judgement on the morality of sexual behaviour it is important to consider whether deception or coercion have influenced the voluntary informed consent of the subject. If there is no voluntary informed consent, then a person is being used merely as a means to another persons end. This support Kant’s claim on morality, and is therefore immoral. Coercion into consent is easily to identify. As with the example of a person being forced to hand over $200 with the threat of a gun, they were being forced/coerced into their decision to hand over the money. When there is no voluntary informed consent, as the consent is not voluntary. Coercion can be important when determining the morality in sexual behaviour. If one is forced or blackmailed into having sex with another, this is coercive and using someone merely as a means to an end. Identifying Deception when looking at the morality of sexual behaviour, and determining whether or not it supports Kant’s claim is important before making a moral judgment. Deception is being tricked into making informed consent. And example of deception is subject A. telling subject B. that they love them, as subject A. knows that subject B. will only enter into a sexual relationship if both parties have a mutual love for one another. This is deceiving subject B. into giving their voluntary informed consent into entering a sexual relationship. This is immoral, as voluntary informed consent has been undermined by deception. When looking at Kant’s claim it is easy to determined the morality in this situation as subject as has merely used subject B in order to fulfil their sexual wants. It is also important to consider whether the decision was informed. 3. As seen in page. 76 of the course book, some could argue that a child or someone with severe learning difficulties is still able to give voluntary consent. This is true, but a child or person with severe learning difficulties is unable to give informed consent. If someone is to endeavour in sexual behaviours with a child or a person with learning difficulties, then it is clear they are using them for their own sexual gratification, and not respecting the person whom they are using. As Kant claims, this is morally unacceptable. When thinking about the morality of sexual behaviour it is hard to ignore that of homosexual relationships and/or homosexual sex. When looking at Kant’s statement that it is immoral to use another person merely as a means to your ends and Mappes further explanation of voluntary informed consent, we can establish he morality of homosexual behaviour. Michael Levin (1999 p. 125-126) claims homosexuality to be immoral. He also makes that statement that they are victims and have unflattering beliefs. Levin (1999 p. 126) claims â€Å"homosexuality is deviant†¦ [and] homosexuals have no place in the military if they weaken morale, and there are good reasons to think they do [weaken morale]† When looking at Kant’s philosophy, and his definition of morality, it becomes clear that Levins claims are assumptions, especially that homosexuals would weaken the morale in the military. There is nothing in his claims to suggest that homosexuals would coerce, deceive and use another merely as a means to their sexual ends within the military. Therefore, when looking at Kant’s claims, regardless whether a person is homosexual or heterosexual, the morality of sexual behaviour can only established when one is using another without human respect and merely as a means to their ends. John Corvino also refers to the morality of homosexual relationships. His views vary considerably from Levins. Corvino (1997 p,6) addresses the idea that homosexual sex is unnatural and therefore immoral. Corvino defends the right to a homosexual relationship by comparing the use of sexual organs to others. We have numerous uses for our mouth such as talking, eating, breathing, chewing gum etc and Corvino states that sexual organs may be useful in a relationship other than just procreation. Corvino makes reference to the churches view on sexual behaviour. Although the church disapproves of homosexual behaviour, Corvino (1997 p. 6) highlights that they do not see anything wrong with sterile couples having sex or couples who are pregnant as the church concedes that intimacy and pleasure are morally legitimate purposes for having sex. Corvino suggests that although there is no chance of procreation in homosexual sex, there is nothing immoral about it. Corvino’s view supports Kant’s claim of morality. Unless there is something to suggest one is merely being used by another sexually, then there are no grounds to suggest homosexuality is immoral. Kant’s claim that it is morally wrong to use someone merely as a means to your ends, helps us in our judgements regarding sexual morality. Through Thomas A. Mappes explanation of Kant’s claim and introducing the idea of voluntary informed consent, and how it can be undermined through deception and coercion, we are able to clearly distinguish whether or not a persons sexual behaviours are moral or not. Kant’s claim suggest that there is nothing immoral about homosexual behaviour, unless one is merely being used as an end, as in heterosexual relationships. The idea of homosexuality being unnatural had nothing to do with its morality when looking at Kant’s claim.

The Ethical Issues Of Employee - 1982 Words

In organization, many employees may have to work as a team to get their jobs done. The workplace will be used as a place where employees can provide a work for employer. When many people who came from different backgrounds, values, goals, and perceptions of acceptable behaviors have to work together under the same roof, it’ll be quite difficult for the organization to avoid the ethical issues. The ethical issues that I have experienced in my previous workplace are: Ethical issues of employee: Some of workmate did not come to the office on time. Some of them even cheated the starting time by asking other people to log in the system in behave of them. During working hours, some employee may still hang around or chitchat or even enjoy his food. Ethical issue of employer: Did not pay for overtime to employees. Some employee had incomplete job. She came to work for another 6 hours on the rest day after six consecutive normal work days. Pregnant woman will not accept to apply for a job. Foreign workers had a fight because their working opinion was quite different. 2. Discuss how the ethical issues or dilemmas were resolved. Provide examples to support your answer (10 marks). Company resolved employees’ ethical issues by creating progressive disciplining, applying ethical theory to company s core values and providing yearly ethical training: Progressive disciplining: For employees who often come to work late or cannot provide a reasonable reason to their managers. 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