A Discussion of African-American Females on the Effect of HIV/AIDS: A Call for Action

Abstract

Preface When matriculated into the academy, academicians are often initiated with a command for scholarly publication and productivity. Due to the ever increasing need to expand the knowledge base of areas of study, the research production machine often yields the fruit of in-depth insight and a greater understanding of concepts. Conducting research should not be, therefore, viewed as a negative obligation, but as a platform opportunity. Increasing scholarly productivity can be accomplished by identifying research topics of eminent concern for the global community. Conducting research is essential, because the foundation of good education is current, relevant, and prevalent knowledge. This knowledge is needed to teach and expose emerging professionals to the issues and concepts they will encounter, process, manage or solve. For example, research pertinent for counselor educators are those critical topics most salient to the populations for which professional counselors serve. HIV/AIDS is an epidemic that touches the global community, and therefore warrants increased levels of attention in research among human service disciplines in education (Shaw, 1997). Introduction Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, more commonly known as AIDS, first originated in the United States in 1981. The cause of AIDS is still not yet fully understood, but it is known that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) must be present first in the body before a person can actually develop AIDS. HIV attacks the body immune system. The progression of this disease differs among individuals. Some will develop AIDS over a relatively short period of time while others have lived for a very long time never developing this stage of HIV disease (this term encompasses all stages or progression of the disease from HIV infection through the development of AIDS) (CDC, 1994). HIV/AIDS disease has infected and impacted countless individuals across the United States and throughout the World. Worldwide it is estimated that approximately 40 million individuals are living with HIV/AIDS (CDC, 1994). Among all populations in the United States, African Americans account for a disproportionate number of persons with HIV disease. The CDC (1999) estimated that African Americans accounted for nearly one half of all new cases of HIV infection among young adults in the 1990s. AIDS was initially thought to exclusively affect gay men. It was not until 1993 that medical practitioners (i.e., internal physicians, surgeons, nurses, medical technologists, paramedics) even began to consider HIV/ AIDS disease in relation to its impact on women. Preliminary research suggested that HIV disease affects women in different ways than it does men. Research suggested, for example, that women are more likely to die sooner from AIDS than their male counterparts (Lea, 1994) and while the rate of HIV infection among men has become relatively stable there has been a significant increase in the rates of infection among women (CDC, 2001). Specifically, during this time the CDC revised the symptomatic diagnostic criteria for AIDS to include symptoms more likely to be discovered in women (e.g., cervical cancer) (CDC, 2000). Over the last decade there has been an increased focus on the rising number of women with HIV/AIDS disease. One aspect of the focus looks at differences in life expectancy for women with HIV disease; which has been attributed to several factors. Due to limited access, patient knowledge, and attitudes about treatment, women are less likely to take antiretroviral medications (Duerr, 1997). Many women simply do not seek appropriate or early medical intervention due to responsibilities, which may include supporting other family members (Carney, 2003). Research suggests that many women have limited social support or that they experience more psychological or social ramifications related to infection. For example, the majority of women with HIV disease are likely not to disclose their status or seek psychological support (DeMarco, Miller, Patsdaughter, Chisolm, & Grindel, 1998). …