Created by: Shelly-Constantine Charisma-Gibbs Kimberly-Foster

1. Created by: Shelly-Constantine Charisma-Gibbs Kimberly-Foster

2. Introduction Sexual Transmitted disease (STD) also referred to as sexual transmitted infections (STI) and venereal disease (VD) are illnesses that can occur through sexual activities between human beings. There are many sexual transmitted diseases that can be contracted such as :- viral hepatitis, herpes simplex, HPV, syphilis, HIV/AIDS. In this project, we will be focusing on one main STD called HIV/AIDS.

3. Why is it considered a Social Issue Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a main problem in the public health policy. The importance of these diseases is not only limited to their high incidence, but also to the complications they may cause and to their role in the HIV transmission. Control of STDs represents one of the main aims of the World Health Organization. For many years STDs were thought to have been almost completely eliminated; instead, recently the rates of STDs are increasing. This has prompted the search for control strategies, that, however, have shown to be difficult to implement. For this reason, prevention programs based on promotion of responsible sexual behavior, early diagnosis and treatment have been implemented in many countries.

4. Reasons why STD are difficult to solve Attempts to create a vaccine for HIV have failed time and again partly because no one has been able to achieve the right vaccine balance - one that can spur the body into action, but not make a person sick. A new study in monkeys suggests a new solution: Vaccines could be more effective if they can be made to linger in the body. Most vaccines are expensive to buy and it doesn’t cure the STD but slows down the rapid process of it spreading to the rest of the immune system.

5. Most vaccines work by introducing the body to a virus so it can build up defences to fight off the invader. This works in one of two ways: Either the vaccines introduce a live, but modified, version of a virus - like the nasal-spray flu vaccine - or they introduce an inactivated version, which can still be enough to turn on the immune system. Most STD are difficult to detect and when detected the STD will have already begun to break down the immune system making treatment almost pointless because the immune system is too week to fight back.

6. Ways STD affects the Society STD mostly affects women, young people and members of minority groups. It affects the genitals and reproductive organs. A woman who has a STD may bleed when she is menstruating or have an abnormal vaginal discharge. Vaginal burning., itching and odor are common and woman may experience pain in her pelvic area or while having sex. Men may also be affected by STD and a discharge from the tip of the penis may be a sign that he has a STD. males may also have painful or burning sensations when they urinate. There may be swelling of the lymph nodes near the groin area. Both men and women may develop skin rashes, sores, bumps, or blisters near the mouth or genitals.

7. STD may affect the body as a whole. They may get fever, chills and similar flu-like symptoms, arthritis pains or aching in the joints and throat swelling and redness that last for three weeks or longer

8. STD’s and The Family When a member/members of a family contract an STD such as AIDS, it can have a traumatizing effect on that household. The household is the first unit of socialization and it may go through tremendous changes. Four ways in which it may affect the family life are: Financial constraint – family members would have to incur additional expenses, for example paying for medical bills, hospital treatment and caretakers. Family stigmatization – extended family as well as external society scorns the infected member and the immediate family. This constant discrimination leads to emotional unrest among the family members.

9. If a family member is infected with an STD known as AIDS, the probability of another family member becoming infected is very high. Therefore family members would have to be extremely cautions, which may lead to unnecessary discomfort and distance among family members. Family members feel an immense amount of guilt. It is the responsibility of the members of the family to take care of one another and ensure their well being so when someone becomes infected with an STD, they feel responsible for not protecting their loved one from the disease.

10. STDs and The Government The government has realized that Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are on the rise and so to prevent an outbreak, the government has implemented strategies to deal with STDs such as AIDS. Five of these strategies are: Their have been programs on the media that educate the population on how to treat STDs such as AIDS and also to prevent others from contracting it. The government has made available STDs test at health centres nationwide. Therefore citizens would become aware of their health and if tested positive, start treatment immediately.

11. The government has also made contraceptive available at clinics nationwide. Government has also created free workshops in community areas, schools, workplaces etc. so that people with/without the can attend to educate themselves on how to receive treatment for the disease and for those without the disease, it can help educate them on ways to prevent contracting it. The government has provided a tool kit on how to live positively with STDs such as AIDS. It aims to put faces and share experiences to reduce the stigma, and is being distributed to support groups.

12. Ways the media can use to help reduce the effects of STDs They can have diagnosis process with a through physical examination and a detailed medical history that documents the patient’s sexual history and assesses the risk of infection. It may also have self- care treatment that can relieve some pain of genital herpes or genital warts that has recurred after being diagnosed and treated by a physician, other STD symptoms require immediate medical attention. They can have vaccines to prevent STD’s. the risk of becoming infected with an STD can be reduced or eliminated by decision about personal behavior- men or woman who have sex with an infected partner should make sure a new condom is used every time they have genital, oral or anal contact. Used correctly and consistently, male condoms provide good protection against HIV and other STDs.