Introduction
People’s perspectives on risk and sexual conduct are heavily influenced by the social environments in which they are raised, introduced to sexuality as children, and live. Numerous social, cultural, and economic elements have the power to help or impede the spread of HIV among women, especially those from low-income background. It is the responsibility of planners and policymakers to evaluate the social environment and make efforts to change it in a way that promotes and maintains change. The paper will discuss the programs that have been used in the past, where some have shown progress in reducing the prevalence in the spread of HIV infection in girls and women. Also, significant measures or programs that can be used to reduce disease will be explained in the paper. The following discussion encloses the theory associated with controlling the spread of the virus, notably the Health Belief Model. Lastly, an analysis of how the programs correlate with the Health Belief Model will be analyzed. Thus, the discussion herein is an assessment of the reduction of HIV, which will be examined in the sense of empowering women and girls through various health education.
Background of the Health Program Utilize in the Past
Considerable progress has been made in reducing the spread of HIV in several years. The HIV epidemic has outpaced the adoption and application of several measures intended to stop the virus from spreading. A successful public health policy consists of several elements, such as community structures and behavioral changes, increased tools (such as condom) usage, HIV testing and counseling, education about the virus, and pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Change in Social Behaviors and Community Structures
In sub-Saharan Africa, the leading causes of the HIV/AIDS epidemic may be traced back to sexual behavior patterns, including partner selection and sexual activity participation. However, various medications, behaviors, and regulations have proven effective in enhancing outcomes for those who are either living with or at risk of HIV, spanning the entire range of prevention and therapy (Rapaport et al., 2023). The unfavorable impression of women and adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health in sub-Saharan African contexts has specifically impeded the implementation and acceptance of policies, practices, and interventions for those living with or at risk of developing HIV.
One way in which social factors like stigma affect women’s well-being is by putting marginalized communities through processes of social devaluation that limit their agency and access to resources. Stigma affects women and young girls on many levels of society and the environment, including the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and structural levels. Both societal factors, including gender and cultural standards, and institutional factors, like laws and rules, have a role in perpetuating stigma in every given society. Teens’ sexual and reproductive health is stigmatized in many Sub-Saharan African countries due to ingrained cultural and social norms (Birdthistle et al., 2019). The use of contraception, unwanted pregnancies, and sexual relations that do not involve marriage are all addressed in these standards. In addition, the breadth and depth of sexual and reproductive health services, especially those about HIV, are affected by these factors. Thus, women and young girls face substantial obstacles in accessing HIV services as a result of the widespread stigma surrounding the disease.
Hence, changing the concept of how individuals view young women and girls has given them the courage to ask for HIV health services whenever they need them. In that case, women are now concerned about their health and HIV status and are adamant about sorting out ways to maintain their health. The strong community norms have been made lenient, and now women can choose whether they want to engage in sexual interaction with someone else or not. The change in that behavior has given women the privilege to make their own choices, which enables them to enquire about the HIV status of the person they want to get sexually involved with.
Increased Preventative Tools Usage
Usage of protective tools such as condom has been the most effective way in the prevention of the spread of the virus. During the onset of the HIV epidemic in the early 1980s, individuals were advised to utilize condoms in accordance with the provided instructions. It has greatly assisted in the ongoing fight against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV (Makola, et al., 2019). A latex condom effectively inhibits the spread of HIV between individuals during sexual activity by establishing an impenetrable barrier. The existence of HIV particles in bodily fluids is a necessary condition for the virus’s capacity to spread. If women with HIV adhere to their prescribed antiretroviral treatments and effectively control the infection, there will be no occurrence or spread of residual virus in bodily fluids.
HIV Testing and Counseling
HIV prevention programs necessitate the use of HIV testing and counseling (HTC). It serves as a gateway for individuals seeking assistance, nurturing, and therapeutic treatment. It is crucial to be aware of one’s HIV status in order to effectively combat HIV (Mahande et al., 2016). Women afflicted with the condition can receive guidance on maintaining a wholesome way of life during their illness, along with enhanced availability of medical care and treatment from healthcare practitioners. Facilitating a link between patients and HTC yields numerous advantages, including the prevention of PMTCT, safeguarding uninfected partners from acquiring the infection, enhancing overall quality of life, reducing the occurrence of opportunistic infection-related illnesses, and decreasing the frequency of hospitalizations (Musekiwa et al., 2021). HIV testing has proven to be a significant strategy, and through it, women and young girls have been able to be aware of their status and minimize the spread.
Education About the Virus
Efforts to enhance HIV knowledge and promote condom usage through peer education in African countries have achieved remarkable outcomes. The South African Stepping Stones program employed interactive teaching methods to foster awareness of risks, acquisition of information, and development of communication skills. Research has demonstrated that prolonged exposure to mass media campaigns, encompassing television, radio, and print advertisements, can substantially enhance individuals’ comprehension and consciousness regarding HIV/AIDS services, family planning, and child survival. Empirically, individuals who had a significant level of exposure to these activities exhibited a 1.5-fold increase in the chance of engaging in discussions about HIV with their partners, and a twofold increase in awareness regarding the effectiveness of condoms in reducing the risk of HIV transmission (Birdthistle et al., 2019).
Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective strategy for avoiding HIV infection, which entails administering antiretroviral (ARV) medicines. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to the prompt administration of antiretroviral (ARV) medications after potential exposure, with the aim of preventing HIV infection. The medications have also proven to be very effective in the reduction of HIV among women and young girls. The preventative measure before the infection has aided the target population from acquiring the infection, while after the infection, it has also reduced the spread of the virus to other individuals.
References
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Makola, L., Mlangeni, L., Mabaso, M., Chibi, B., Sokhela, Z., Silimfe, Z., … & Zuma, K. (2019). Predictors of contraceptive use among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15 to 24 years in South Africa: results from the 2012 national population-based household survey. BMC women’s health, 19, 1-7. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-019-0861-8
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