Prevalence of HIV and Complacency
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as the US celebrates reduced HIV deaths, but there is a worrying trend of complacency. With a variety of options to choose from, individuals tend to be more willing to take health risks (Valdiserri and Holtgrave, 2019). The availability of pre and post-exposure medication has decreased the HIV preventive measures persons take. Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) entails taking antiretroviral drugs. These drugs should be taken in emergency cases only and not more than 72 hours before or after exposure to the virus. The availability and affordability of PrEP and PEP drugs have also increased complacency. If these remedies were difficult to obtain, individuals would be more careful (Bhatti, Usman, & Kandi, 2016). A doctor prescribes PEP, and health insurance pays for the cost in most cases. In cases of sexual assault or a medical practitioner exposed while attending to patients, the patient does not incur any costs. The 28-day dose of oral pills is affordable to most Americans, but should not be a reason for decreased preventive measures.
The Role of Health Care Professionals in Increasing Awareness of HIV
Health care professionals play a crucial role in creating awareness by demystifying myths and providing facts about the condition. They are in constant interaction with those infected or affected by HIV, and are thus more trusted than other sources of information. Better prevention of HIV spread demands integration of biomedical, behavioral, and structural interventions. Health care providers can integrate all these when interacting with patients (Fisher et al., 2019). Interpersonal communication is an important aspect of public health awareness, which all healthcare professionals should possess. Individual and group counseling, within and without the clinic imparts individuals with preventive and management methods. Healthcare providers can also train community health workers to share facts on HIV infection. Community health workers are in direct contact with the community and understand the culture, norms, and values of society. They can be used to provide counseling and psychosocial support after medical practitioners provide medication.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Medical practitioners should also be more willing to share what they already know. Education on HIV is abundant, but not all sources are accurate. Many myths still exist due to the freedom social media provides. The experts should especially address the advantages of preventive measures over post-exposure medication. PEP is a form of antiretroviral medication, thus the body will need a higher dosage for the remedy to be effective in the future.
Strategies to Educate HIV Positive Patients on Medication Adherence and Safe Practices
Effective management and mitigation of HIV infection risk factors is contingent on proper patient education on medication adherence and safe practices. Individual and group education sessions create awareness on the benefits of medication adherence since most patients do not know the risks of improper dosages (Aggleton et al., 2018; Arcangelo et al., 2016). Adherence to medication keeps the immunity of the patient stable enough to fight opportunistic infections. Utilization of technology could also make creating awareness easier. Care providers can create a portal for their patients where they send weekly updates on upcoming appointments, talks by professionals, diet advice and meal plans, psychosocial support, etc. Practitioners also have a role of following up missed appointments. Following up instills responsibility in the patients.
Skipping medication allows the virus to replicate, which surprises the immune system and deteriorates health, which increases the chances of infecting others (Arcangelo et al, 2016). Caution should, however, not be mistaken for stigma. While exercising caution to prevent infections, people living with HIV/AIDS deserve love and equality. Practicing safe sex, avoiding sharing of any sharp objects, and avoiding drugs will protect those around the infected. Drug abuse impairs judgment, which could lead to unsafe practices. Health workers who are living with HIV must also protect their patients by ensuring they prescribe PEP in case a needle accident happens.
Conclusion
Although it is no longer an epidemic, HIV is still a problem in the 21st century. There is a need for increased caution despite the availability of PrEP and PEP drugs. PEP is a form of antiretroviral therapy, which makes the body develop resistance against the medication over time. Medical practitioners thus have a role of creating awareness on prevention being than cure and the essentiality of infected people adhering to their medication.
References
Aggleton, P., Bhana, D., Clarke, D. J., Crewe, M., Race, K., & Yankah, E. (2018). HIV education: Reflections on the past, priorities for the future. AIDS Education and Prevention, 30(3), 254-266.
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2016). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: a practical approach (4 th Ed). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 978-1-49-631996-8
Bhatti, A. B., Usman, M., & Kandi, V. (2016). Current scenario of HIV/AIDS, treatment options, and major challenges with compliance to antiretroviral therapy. Cureus , 8 (3).
Fisher, H. H., Essuon, A., Hoyte, T., Shapatava, E., Shelley, G., Rios, A., & Sapiano, T. (2018). The changing landscape of HIV prevention in the United States: Health department experiences and local adaptations in response to the national HIV/AIDS strategy and high-impact prevention approach. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 24(3), 225-234.
Valdiserri, R. O., & Holtgrave, D. R. (2019). Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Infection: Preventing Disease or Promoting Sexual Health? Journal of community health, 44(3), 423-427.
