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Cultural
Practices that Influence the Spread of HIV/AIDS in The
Gambia
Sumareh Mohamadou Foundation For
Disabled People International
Gambia AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition
caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging the immune
system, HIV interferes with the body's ability to fight off viruses, bacteria
and fungi that cause disease. HIV makes the infected person more susceptible
to certain types of cancers and the body would normally resist, such as
pneumonia and meningitis. The virus and the infection itself are known as
HIV. "Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)" is the name given
to the later stages of an HIV infection To define terms. In this
presentation, culture is defined as: the entire pattern of beliefs,
attitudes, values, ideas and knowledge that members of social groups hold
about themselves.. This paper will describes some of the general
cultural, social, and psychological processes through which an illness
becomes stigmatized, and the consequences of these
processes for individuals with the disease. It applies these concepts to
AIDS-related stigma, which refers to all unfavorable
attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and policies
directed at persons perceived to be infected with HIV, whether or not they
actually are infected and regardless of whether or not they manifest symptoms
of AIDS. Individuals' hostility toward people with AIDS can best be
understood through psychological and sociological perspectives on stigma,
prejudice, and attitudes. Individual manifestations of AIDS-related stigma
represent the intersection of psychological processes with the cultural
construction of the illness. Five areas of analysis are considered: the
biomedical manifestations of AIDS, the cultural construction of AIDS,
attitudes of the nonstigmatized, experiences of the
stigmatized, and social interactions In Africa there are diverse cultural
beliefs and practices, which impact HIV/AIDS prevention, education,
transmission across the continent. These beliefs and practices influence many
aspects of life and pose significant challenges to the effectiveness of
HIV/AIDS prevention interventions. The discussion was one section of the capacity
building process for faith leaders aimed at increasing their effectiveness in
prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission within their own cultural context. and the culture in which it is practiced. the following
emerged: (1) different cultural beliefs and practices can exist within the
same community or within a single country; (2) cultural sensitivity is an
important consideration in designing interventions and strategies to curb the
transmission of HIV/AIDS (3) religion, cultural beliefs and practices
influence each other, HIV/AIDS prevention strategies should identify positive
aspects of culture that promote well being and address or de-emphasize
aspects of culture which may lead to increased risk of HIV/AIDS. bio: Dr.Sumareh Mohamadou, is the
head of Rehabilitation center of the foundation for
Disabled People in the Gambia. He has been attending seris
of of HIV/AIDS seminar and workshop organised by
different groups in the Gambia. He has been one of the key figure that public against
The Gambia President encouraging citizens living with HIV to stop taking
antiretroviral medications in order to try an unproven herbal remedy.He has produced series of books on HIV/AIDS |
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