Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens the immune system making the individual more susceptible to diseases and other viruses. Unlike most viruses the human immune system is unable to fight HIV and it may eventually lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS (MORE ON AIDS) (‘What Is HIV/AIDS?’ 2015). HIV cases in Australia is beginning to increase after a great reduction during the 1990’s and it is most common among men who have sex with men, this means that women affected by HIV/AIDS are not ----. The HIV rates in Somalia are reasonable low compared to neighbouring sub-Saharan countries and most common among the heterosexual couple as a result of sexual activity and due to unsafe healthcare facilities (‘Antiretroviral
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The healthcare system is another social determinant that impacts on HIV positive individuals. Australia has a well-developed healthcare system in which women that are HIV positive can easily access affordable treatment. However, this is not the case in Somalia being a war torn country for the last twenty-five years the healthcare system is underdeveloped as the government do not have the resources to fund health. Thus, treatment is less common in Somalia for women who are HIV positive. This essay will compare and contrast the stigma and discrimination HIV positive women face in Somalia and Australia and the focus will be on non-Indigenous Australian’s as the gap between indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian’ is too vast to discuss both in this essay. Then following on will be a discussion comparing the healthcare system of Somalia and Australia focusing on access to HIV treatment. Lastly, will be an overview on how society has changed in both Somalia and Australia in response to …show more content…
After thirty-years HIV still carries a great amount of stigma and discrimination around the world. This is due to the social groups who were first diagnosed with HIV being from gay men to intra-Venus drug user and the fact that these social groups already carried negative connotations in society (‘HIV & AIDS Stigma and Discrimination’, 12014). Women in particular are affected by stigma greatly. In Australia HIV was first seen in the 1980’s as a disease of gay men, it began with only men who have sex with men being affected. However, soon after in the same decade HIV was seen among a wide range of groups including women (Power, 2011). Currently women are one of the most vulnerable groups that are impacted on by HIV in Australia due to the HIV culture in Australia mainly being directed for men who have sex with men (Wilcock & Lennon, 2009). Leaving women out in the campaign and HIV awareness puts the notion that women should not be impacted upon by HIV. This makes HIV positive Australian women feel isolated and unheard, thus making it harder for them to disclose their condition to their community (Wilcock & Lennon, 2009). In addition, women are seen as the responsible partner in sex they have a great responsibility in protecting their own health during sex and thus carry a larger burden when diagnosed with
The healthcare system is another social determinant that impacts on HIV positive individuals. Australia has a well-developed healthcare system in which women that are HIV positive can easily access affordable treatment. However, this is not the case in Somalia being a war torn country for the last twenty-five years the healthcare system is underdeveloped as the government do not have the resources to fund health. Thus, treatment is less common in Somalia for women who are HIV positive. This essay will compare and contrast the stigma and discrimination HIV positive women face in Somalia and Australia and the focus will be on non-Indigenous Australian’s as the gap between indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian’ is too vast to discuss both in this essay. Then following on will be a discussion comparing the healthcare system of Somalia and Australia focusing on access to HIV treatment. Lastly, will be an overview on how society has changed in both Somalia and Australia in response to …show more content…
After thirty-years HIV still carries a great amount of stigma and discrimination around the world. This is due to the social groups who were first diagnosed with HIV being from gay men to intra-Venus drug user and the fact that these social groups already carried negative connotations in society (‘HIV & AIDS Stigma and Discrimination’, 12014). Women in particular are affected by stigma greatly. In Australia HIV was first seen in the 1980’s as a disease of gay men, it began with only men who have sex with men being affected. However, soon after in the same decade HIV was seen among a wide range of groups including women (Power, 2011). Currently women are one of the most vulnerable groups that are impacted on by HIV in Australia due to the HIV culture in Australia mainly being directed for men who have sex with men (Wilcock & Lennon, 2009). Leaving women out in the campaign and HIV awareness puts the notion that women should not be impacted upon by HIV. This makes HIV positive Australian women feel isolated and unheard, thus making it harder for them to disclose their condition to their community (Wilcock & Lennon, 2009). In addition, women are seen as the responsible partner in sex they have a great responsibility in protecting their own health during sex and thus carry a larger burden when diagnosed with