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HIV/AIDS is a sexually-transmitted with significant negative consequences that extend beyond physical health. Poverty is a significant factor accelerating its spread, and is also increased by the effects of AIDS (Mapp, 2014). Poverty is also linked to decreased education in children, which increases their likelihood of having sexual intercourse before the age of 18, as well as limits their knowledge on the prevention of HIV transmission (Mapp, 2014). Cultural issues can also impact the spread of the disease. Different views on sex, lack of knowledge about the transmission of the disease or beliefs in its magical transmission, and stigmatization of people suffering from AIDS all factor into its spread (Mapp, 2014). As such, the spread of HIV can be significantly slowed by educating people about it and addressing poverty and the cultural issues surrounding it.
International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can play a major part in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. Particularly in rural or politically unstable areas such as refugee camps, NGOs can be capable of providing humanitarian and medical help that governments cannot (Gilbert & Cunliffe, 2011). They are also involved in providing awareness and prevention programs designed with the target populations characteristics, such as illiteracy, in mind (Takahashi et al., 2009). Because of their limited connection with the local government, NGO programs aimed at improving HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention can be more effective.
One example of an NGO creating an effective anti-HIV program is SlideSafe in Nigeria. This organization addresses the stigmatization of people suffering from HIV and sex in general prevalent in the country by offering anonymous, discreet kits for self-testing for HIV and other infectious diseases (Monks, 2017). However, while improved access to self-testing will likely improve diagnosis rates, experts stress that wider changes are needed in Nigeria to improve access to counseling, treatment, and cultural shifts to combat the HIV epidemic (Monks, 2017). Ultimately, private and community activity can be a stronger force in enacting relevant change than local government.
References
Gilbert, H., & Cunliffe, A. (2011). Non-governmental organizations and the management of HIV and AIDS in refugee camps: A comparison of Maratane Camp in Mozambique and Kakuma Camp in Kenya. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 29(1), 63-81.
Mapp, S. C. (2014). Human rights and social justice in a global perspective: An introduction to international social work (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Takahashi, K., Sunthan, S., Chomroeun, L., Rathmuny, H., Sokhom, C., & Matsuoka, H. (2009). The effectiveness of HIV/AIDS awareness intervention in a rural area in Cambodia: Illiteracy, mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV/AIDS. Tropical Medicine and Health, 37(3), 109-114.
Monks, K. (2017). Safe sex startup offers HIV tests in disguise. CNN. Web.
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