KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY, MALETE DIRECTORATE OF COLLABORATION
AND AFFILIATION
PAN-AFRICAN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT
SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
LEVEL 200
GROUP 4 SEMINAR PRESENTATION
TOPIC: HIV PREVENTION AMONG KEY POPULATION
STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES
Introduction to HIV
First of all, what is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)? HIV is a virus that attack and
weakens the body immune system making it difficult to fight infections and diseases.
Moreover, according to who, HIV is a virus that attack cells that helps the body fight infection,
making a person more vulnerable to other infections or diseases.
It is spread by contact with certain body fluids of an infected person, most commonly during
unprotected sex (sex without a protective device or medicine to prevent or treat HIV). If HIV left
untreated, it can lead to disease called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Now what is mean by AIDS? AIDS according to who is the late stage of HIV infection that
occurs when the body's immune system is badly damage because of the virus.
In U.S.A, most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because taking HIV drugs or medicine as
a prescribed stop the progression of the disease.
How does HIV transmit?
The HIV can be transmitted through the following ways:-
HIV can transmit during unprotected sexual contact with an infected person (vagina, anal or oral
sex).
It can also be transmitted by sharing needles or syringes with someone who is HIV positive.
HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, child birth or breast feeding
(vertical transmission)
It can also be transmitted during blood transfusion etc.
Sign and symptoms of HIV
HIV symptoms can vary based on the stages of the infection, the following are some of the signs
and symptoms.
Flu-like symptoms which includes:-
Fever Sore throat Fatigue Swollen lymph nodes and Rashes
Chronic HIV/AIDS
There is rapid weight loss
Recurrent fever over times
Profuse night sweating
There us prolong swelling of lymph node
Recurrent diarrhea that last for more than a week
Pneumonia can develop
Sores in the mouth, anal or genital
There may be lost of memory, depression and other neurologic disorders.
Risk factors that may lead to acquire HIV
Practicing unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Having a sexual transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhoea
and bacteria vaginosis etc.
Harmful use of alcohol or drugs in the context of sexual behavior.
Sharing of contaminated sharp objects like needles, syringes and other injecting equipment or
drugs solution when injecting drugs.
Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusion or tissue transplantation.
Medical procedures that involves unsterile cutting or piercing or accidental needle stick injuries,
including among health care workers.
Having sex with an infected HIV partner.
Being born by an infected HIV mother.
At risk key population of Having HIV (Vulnerable groups)
The NHAS identifies the following priority populations disproportionally impacted by HIV
among key population.
The people who have lack of access to education on hiv and economic dependance especially
women and girls.
Men who have sex with men (ms) are also at higher HIV prevalence due to unprotected anal sex
and social stigma.
People who inject drugs (pwid) by sharing needles and syringes are also at risk of having HIV.
Commercial sex workers are also at very high risk by sexual behaviors increase vulnerability due
to stigma and lack of health care access.
Adolescent population who lack access to sexual and reproductive health education along with
peer and pressure groups.
Strategic preventive measures of HIV
Primary preventative, this includes the following:-
Prevent the viruses from being contacting in the first place
Safe sex practice:- which means consistent and correct use of condoms.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which means medication for people at high risk to prevent
them from having infection.
Post- exposure prophylaxis (PEP) this involves emergency medication taken within 72hours after
potential exposure to HIV.
Secondary prevention:- this refers to the progression of the disease and includes the following.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps the infected persons to manage the virus and maintain a
healthy immune system.
Other prevention measures includes
Community awareness and education during outreach to reduce stigma and promote safe
practices.
Regular HIV testing for early detection leads to better health outcomes.
Encourage HIV positive individual to seek treatment and live openly.
Avoid sharing needs and syringes and other sharp objects.
Limit the number of your sex partner.
Be absent from sex practices.
Challenges on HIV prevention
Preventing the transmission of HIV among key population can be challenging due to the
following reasons:-
Social and cultural challenges
Stigma and discrimination:- fear of stigma and discrimination prevents many people from
seeking HIV testing, treatment and prevention services.
Gender inequality:- women and girls face limited access to HIV preventive serviced due to
gender based violence and discrimination.
Cultural and religious beliefs:- certain cultural and religious beliefs discourage the use of
condoms or other HIV preventive methods.
Economic and structural challenges
Poverty and economic instability:- limited economic resources restrict access to HIV prevention
services especially in resources constrained settings.
Limited access to education:- in adequate education and awareness about HIV prevention
methods contributes to the spread of the virus.
Healthcare system limitations:- weak health care system including in adequate infrastructure and
shortages of health care workers hinders HIV prevention efforts.
Biological and behavioral challenges
Biological factors such as viral load and CD4 cells count affect HIV transmission risk.
Behavioral factors:- this includes inconsistent use of condom and multiple sexual partners
increase HIV transmission risk.
Substance abuse:- this includes safe injection during drug abuse.
Other challenges includes:-
Insufficient funds and resources constrain.
Antiretroviral resistance.
Lack of political commitments and efforts to hinder HIV preventions.
In adequate policies and laws by government.
Limited trained healthcare service providers in HIV prevention and treatment.
Health care workers attitudes which includes stigmatizing people living with HIV.
Ongoing conflicts and displacement increases vulnerability to HIV.
References
WHO guidelines on HIV prevention and treatment
HIV innovation and stigma speaking
Genberg BL., Shangani S., Sabatino K., Rechlis B., Wachira J.
PMC free article publisher by google scholars
Keene CM., Ragunathan A.
Illinois department of public health association webmaster privacy.
National library of medicine
National centre for biotechnology information.
Albert Frant Zeh meka, National aids control committee ministry of public health yaoude
cameroon.
Panafrican medical journals.com/content. article.
