Course Evaluation

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the course. It was much more than I initially expected. I knew obviously I would be learning about HIV and AIDS, but did not know I would learn about all sexual transmitted diseases. I am glad it taught all of the above because knowledge is the best way to protect yourself. Also, one thing I did not expect to learn about was the unethical studies done in the past. I found this information very interesting and feel it is good to know about what happened and how things are different today. 

Learning about AIDS and its growth was very useful information. I went into this class thinking it would just be another bacc core to cover a specific credit, but I am coming out a much more informed individual. I am glad after taking this course and have learned a lot. I believe it is very important to have this course taught at the university letter. Looking into the future however, I can see that it is going to be something that will most likely need to be taught in high schools. HIV/AIDS is targeting younger victims every year and we must teach them the information they need to make responsible decisions and protect themselves. 

I didn't find any of this information really useless. I found it hard to focus on the science and microbiology of the disease, however I feel it is useful information to understanding how the disease attacks and grows within the body. I don't really see anything that should be changed. I enjoyed the course much more than I thought I would and am very happy I took it. I did more than just fill a bacc core credit. I informed myself on a huge issue that will most likely have a great impact of the future. 

Thank you very much Lisa for your awesome class!

Inside the Life of Bob Skinner

The presentation from Bob was a bit different than I expected but I did learn some interesting things. I have only met one other HIV+ person, whom was a friend of my step-mother, but I was young and didn't know much about the disease. I knew that obviously learning you are HIV+ would turn your life upside down, but I had no idea it was so expensive. When he began to talk about his daily pill regimen and how much each pill cost I was blown away! I mean $25 for one Sestiva pill is ridiculous. I was also shocked to hear that pharmaceutical companies are patenting everything so that generic brands can't be made for those who can't afford such expensive medication. Also, I had no idea these drugs had such severe side-effects. 

I feel that Bob experience is similar to many of those in the United States, however very different from those around the globe. In the U.S. we have much more research and development and funding for HIV/AIDS, where as places like Sub-Saharan Africa don't have the same resources. People in the U.S. are also generally more wealthy and have a greater chance of affording and accessing treatment. Those in other countries around the world drastically affected by HIV/AIDS don't have the same accessibility. Bob talked a lot about how he uses programs set up for people who can't afford their medications. This is very different from people say in Africa. There are few if any programs designed to help pay for drugs. Also, Bob's sex practices may be drastically different from the people that are contracting HIV today. He had multiple partners in a single night and usually did not know them. 

Bob explained that in rural areas heterosexual transmission is the most common. In these rural areas condom use is not taught as often and more people are uneducated about HIV/AIDS. Also, social inequality between men and women come into play. Women have little power in these regions and when trying to negotiate condom use, they are looked down upon. Also, women are often raped and abused in these regions. 

When living in rural regions you are usually the last to receive any education or news about anything. In the case of HIV/AIDS, you don't know how it is transmitted, what it can do to you, or how to protect yourself. These things are part of vital information you must know in order to prevent contracting HIV. Yes, these things are everywhere in the media, but in rural areas, less people have forms of communication with the urban world, like televisions, computers, or newspapers. News does not travel fast to them. Also, if one does become infected with HIV, being in those makes it difficult for you to get treatment. There are few if any treatment clinics. They could travel to the city, but sometimes they can be many miles away. Most can't even afford the medication, let alone frequent trips to the city.