HIV in African American Women of Hillsborough County, Essay Example

HIV infects a great number of African American women each year.  Many women are unaware of their risk, and treatment is often delayed as a result.  A coalition will focus on the education of African American women in Hillsborough County, through both conventional means and text messaging.  The MAP-IT formula will be used as the strategical template for the plan.  Additionally, a disaster management plan will be provided to HIV positive African American women if an emergency should occur.

Mobilization:

Many African American women in Hillsborough County have a high risk of becoming infected the HIV virus.  A coalition will be formed to provide education on the transmission and treatment of the virus.  The coalition will collaborate with local churches, schools, and the Hillsborough County Health Department in order to inform local African American women about the risks of contracting HIV and their options for treatment.

Assessment:

According to Arya and Viswanath (2009), HIV infection is the leading cause of death for African American women age 25 to 34 years.  Broaddus, Marsch, & Fisher (2015) quote the Center for Disease control in reporting that the incidence of HIV among African American women is 20 times higher than in Caucasian women and five times higher than in Hispanic and Latina women.  African American women may also be less likely to receive proper treatment if they become infected.

Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for HIV in African American Women in Hillsborough County is evidenced by lack of education about the risk of infection, higher rates of poverty, mistrust of the government, higher exposure to drugs, and lack of adequate healthcare.  “Barriers that need immediate attention are the low perceived susceptibility to HIV infection and lack of access to HIV/AIDS information and health care resources, and targeted health communication strategies can be used to address them” (Arya & Viswanath, 2009).  Hillsborough County must educate African American women about transmission, health risks, and treatment of HIV.  All too often, African Americans are diagnosed with HIV in the late stages.  Not only does this make treatment more difficult, but it increases the risk of transmitting HIV for longer periods.  Arya & Viswanath (2009) estimate that HIV-positive persons unaware of their HIV status may account for 50% of new sexually transmitted cases of HIV infection.  If the women are aware of their infection, then they will be able to reduce high-risk behaviors.  Testing, counseling, and treatment should be provided at a minimal cost, so all women, can receive these services, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Plan:

The coalition will use health communication interventions, such as lectures meetings at local churches and schools, to better inform African American Women of about the HIV and AIDS.  The issue will be framed as a public health problem, so as not to make individual women feel targeted.  The interventions will stress that African American women are “disproportionately affected by and dying of HIV/AIDS, thereby increasing personal salience for the infection” (Arya & Viswanath, 2009).  Issues discussed will be methods for safer sex, how the virus is transmitted, and what to do if they have been exposed.

Technology is able to increase the spread of information and is increasing access to health care.  Mobile Health, “mHealth,” uses text messaging on mobile phones to provide individuals with health care information.  Broaddus, Marsch, & Fisher (2015) report that African Americans are statistically more likely to use mobile phones for text messaging as other ethnic groups.  Benefits of using mHealth are the accessibility and the less chance of social stigma, as greater amount of privacy is retained.

Implementation:

Once the people of Hillsborough County realize the risks for African American women, they will certainly help in the education.  While conventional methods of education and support are helpful, African American women are more likely to respond positively to mHealth and receive information via text messaging.

Tracking:

The progress can be tracked by using anonymous surveys and statistics collected with the Hillsborough County Health Department.  Surveys will assess the accuracy of the perceived risk assessment of HIV infection in African American women, and also their comfort level using mHealth.  The numbers of reported infections will appear to increase initially, as more African American women are being tested and diagnosed.  These women will be able to receive treatment and within a few years the amount of African American women infected with HIV should be reduced.

Disaster Management Plan:

African American women with HIV must take extra precautions in case of an emergency situation.  Hillsborough County is located in southern Florida, and is a target area for hurricanes.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2015) recommends that individuals with HIV have a supply of medicine to last 10-14 days.  African American women must also be educated on the importance of having an updated First-Aid kit, access to clean water, and enough food for two weeks.

Another potential emergency is the outbreak of a pandemic, such as the influenza virus.    While the influenza virus is usually a mere inconvenience for individuals without HIV, people who have the HIV virus can become seriously ill if they contract influenza.  African American women should try and receive all of the necessary vaccines.  If influenza is contracted, HIV positive individuals must be encouraged to seek immediate medical attention.

In order to adequately inform African American women about their potential risk of contracting HIV, Hillsborough County must begin to use mHealth and communicate information over text messages.  While some women may prefer the support of group sessions, most African American women utilize text messaging as a means of communication.  Using a communication method that is popular among African American women, will help to increase the likelihood of providing them with the information they require to stay healthy.

References

Arya, M., Behforouz, H.L., & Viswanath, K. (2009). African American Women and HIV/AIDS: A national call for targeted health communication strategies to address a disparity. AIDS  Read. 19 (2). 79-C3.  Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3695628/

Broaddus, M.R., Marsch, L.A., & Fisher, C.B. (2015). Risks and benefits of text-message-delivered and small-group delivered sexual health interventions among African American women in the Midwestern United State. Ethics & Behavior. 25 (2). 146-168 DOI: 10.1080/10508422.2014.948957. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10508422.2014.948957

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Emergency preparedness. (2015). https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/staying-healthy-with-hiv-aids/taking-care-of-yourself/emergency-preparedness/