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.
I thought it was very interesting how Bob was able to tell the class just a bit how he had contracted the HIV/AIDS virus as well as how he has been able to live with the pricley virus over the years. Having said that, I wished he would have explained more on his background rather than makes the class feel like another health lecture.
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was very intersting how Bob was able to compare the United States health care system and the many options that are available if a person is infected with the HIV. When compared to other countries, I was amazed to the amount of difference. Night and Day.
I agree that social inequality between men and women does come into play. I think a lot of people don't think about the fact that in a lot of rural places these women don't have a say. If we are to erradicate HIV/AIDS, how are we suppose to be able to reach these people?
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a good point about how the rural areas don't really have access to the media like we do in the United States. I think we take our education about minor things for granted. For example, most college students know that condoms can protect against pregnancy and STI's, but this information is not as widely talked about in rural areas thus making it harder for men and women to protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteBefore listening to Bob's lecture I had heard AIDS treatment was ridiculously expensive, but had no idea one pill costs $25! Nor was I aware of the side affects people can experience with the medication. It's scary to think about, and really makes you think twice before partaking in any "risky behavior". From your blog it sounds like you learned a lot hearing him speak (as did I). Also, nice touch with adding in a picture here!
ReplyDeleteIt takes a lot of guts to come into a classroom where no one has HIV/AIDS and talk openly about yourself having it. I commend Bob for doing this and im pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do this. Also the fact that he was an openly gay man probably made it even harder for him to get up there, but he still did it. Im sure the class learned a lot about living with AIDS and I bet he enstilled fear in alot of us.
ReplyDeleteI myself also do not know of many HIV positive people. In fact, i believe Bob was the first i had ever knowingly met. I thought it was huge of him to come in and openly express his sexuality. You made a very strong point to mention that when growing up in a rural region you usually are the last to receive the proper education needed for safe(r) sex. I myself came from a small town and can totally vouch for that. I had never received a sex education class until this H312 class. Unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteBob had many good points and while I agree with part of his lecture on affordable care for HIV Americans I hoped that he would talk more about life as an HIV positive person. I am glad that he talks to groups about HIV and got to lecture in our class since I have never met an HIV positive person before.
ReplyDeleteYou bring a good point that I never thought of; there is a power gap between men and women in rural areas so using a condom is really not up to the women and it also goes against most religions which most people in rural area are. I was also very suprised at the cost of the medication because i assumed that most virus medication target and attack viruses roughly the same way.
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