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Plans to Implement |
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Location
Plans to Implement
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As previously stated, a sexual risk reduction program will be the most effective plan to prevent further spread of HIV/AIDS among African American women. The sexual risk reduction program consists of discussion groups focusing on the topics of condom efficacy, information regarding sexual risk behaviors and relationship counseling. It is evident condom conspiracies exist among African American women [8], and this must be changed. It is not enough to simply distribute condoms to clients, but rather there needs to be discussions in which women share their personal beliefs and attitudes toward condom use. Since African American women have a history of trust issues with medical institutions and the government [5], the discussion leaders should be women, African American women or someone who is HIV positive. With the clients’ trust, the leaders will listen to each woman’s comments to understand their point of view; this will ultimately enable the leaders to address the appropriate issues in order to inspire the use of condoms. Condom education should be used rather than an abstinence intervention, because abstinence intervention does not help those who were previously sexually active [14]. It is also important to focus on condom use because condoms reduce one’s risk over contracting both HIV and STDs [7]. Along with condom efficacy, women need to be informed about sexual risk behaviors. First, the women need to be given basic information explaining exactly what AIDS is and how it is transmitted. After understanding the disease, statistics must be revealed showing the increasing HIV/AIDS rate specifically among women in New Jersey (Source 4). Hopefully the women will realize and understand that women are at risk and preventive measures need to be taken. Within this informational discussion, the topic of heterosexual anal intercourse must be addressed, for it is an increasingly common behavior that is putting women at risk for contracting HIV [1]. Each woman will be provided with a pamphlet covering all the topics in the discussion so they have a hard copy of the information discussed. Additionally, relationship counseling should be provided as a part of the sexual risk reduction program. Women have admitted that lack of condom use is often due to the male partner’s refusal to use one [8]. Women need to have control over their sexual behaviors and if their partner refuses to wear a condom, women lose that control and ultimately put themselves at risk to contract a deadly disease. Healthy partner communication is not only necessary to be sexually safe, but also physically. As previously discussed, physical violence toward women is associated with HIV/AIDS, especially for women living with a male [10]. As its main goal is to promote women’s health, it is the Center’s responsibility to provide a place for women to come and talk about such abuse. Communication is essential to a healthy relationship, and the Center needs to make sure lack of communication between couples does not sacrifice the health of women. The Women’s Health and Counseling Center recently relocated to a larger building, approximately 11,400 square feet. The Center has 8 patient rooms and 5 meeting rooms, in which the sexual risk reduction group discussions will take place. The Center’s hours, however, need to be changed. As of now it is only open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In order to enable working women to attend the Center, the Center should be open seven days a week. Also, a HIV/AIDS 24-hour Hotline should be provided; this hotline will give women the opportunity to ask specific questions and discuss their feelings, ultimately letting women know they are not alone. The hotline is also a great way for women who are fearful of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS to acquire information [9]. Another change that needs to be made involves the HIV test. The Center currently provides a blood test, however the use of an oral fluid rapid HIV test would result in a greater number of women agreeing to get tested. The oral fluid test is non-invasive, for one’s vein does not have to be punctured, and it is less expensive [15]. Prior to testing, however, women should be warned that the oral fluid test is sensitive and false-positive or false-negatives may occur. If the HIV test is positive, the Center will provide counseling for the patient and discuss possible treatment plans. The HIV test and all discussion groups will be free of charge, for it is a non-profit organization; this will ultimately be an incentive for women to attend the program, participate in the discussions and get tested. Finally, fundraising is necessary for the completion and effectiveness of the sexual risk reduction program at the Women’s Health and Counseling Center. I personally heard about the WHCC because my high school’s Ridge Peer Organization raised $2000 for their Cancer Education and Early Detection program. An AIDS walk, in which participants create teams and get donations, would be a great way to raise both money and awareness for AIDS. Fundraising will increase AIDS awareness and ultimately publicize the Women’s Health and Counseling Center, at which the sexual risk reduction program will be located. |
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Intro African American Women Barriers to Prevention Solution |
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