Cuba HIV Report Introduction
Cuba HIV Report
Introduction
HIV as a global pandemic continues to ravage and cause harm to the community especially in poor countries in Africa and Asia. Over the years, the HIV pandemic has contributed to millions of deaths and left many children as orphans across the world. To add on this, the economic and social impact caused by HIV goes beyond what many can fathom. Governments across the world are facing huge impact on trying to deal with the pandemic that has triggered intense suffering and left many children as orphans. One of the core issues to be addressed in trying to curb and solve the issue relates to the ongoing recklessness among the youth who are the key transmitters of the disease. To add on this, the pandemic has caused immense suffering that come in many forms that even governments are finding themselves cornered. One of the most affected areas is the poor nations like in Africa and parts of Asia. Increased cases of HIV triggered by recklessness among the young people is worrying and projected to worsen over the coming years. Studies have shown that the world is yet to flatten the curve on HIV with more cases being reported mainly in the developing nations. Some beliefs, myths, and cultural practices are the core problem that is facilitating the spread of HIV mainly in poor nations. Cuba as a developing country with a limited budget spending has been able to put up a fight against HIV and produced remarkable results. The government has been able to keep the infection rates low as well as the number of deaths. Moreover, Cuba increased its spending on the research and sensitization campaigns against HIV that has helped keep the numbers low.
Background
Cuba as a developing country has made strides in the fight against AIDS through the government efforts in promoting good public health. Over the years, the Cuban government has poured billions of dollars into the public health system in a bid to increase the country’s capacity to handle pandemics. To add on this, the government created one of the best public health systems that are derived from years of research that aligns with the core needs of the country. In fact, Cuba ranks high in the WHO health quality ranking that has been attributed to the country’s increased efforts and commitment in funds meant for improving health care delivery (Spear, 2016). Through these efforts, Cuba has been able to handle major illnesses including emerging pandemics like HIV. One of the key ways the country is dealing with an upsurge in Aids cases is through sensitization campaigns and inclusive efforts that are in line with the core needs of the country health needs.
People have totally kept a blind eye on the problems brought by HIV and thus triggering a mass spread of the disease. Even with the ongoing campaign against the disease, some people and leaders are still adamant or lazy to say the least in the approach they are taking against HIV spread (Angulo-Arreola et al., 2017). Billions of dollars contributed by the UN and other global agencies and charities are doing some considerable work in addressing the illness. One of the main ways to look at the issue of HIV is to compare data and figures taken over the years. The figures can help in creating a pattern for easy analysis of the movement of the illness that mainly helps in laying plans and finances in countering its spread. The worrying trend is that poor countries mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa are still struggling with the HIV pandemic thus demanding a more enhanced support form the global community (Castro, 2016). The millions of dollars spent monthly mainly on ARVs and other preventive measures and campaigns are yet to fully curb the intensity and spread of HIV in these regions.
More children are being orphaned that is slowly triggering another social issue mainly in poor regions. The data from the WHO has shown that 2 out of ten orphans in Africa are as a result of the HIV pandemic or related issue (Spear, 2016). Parents who die out of the HIV pandemic leave orphans behind adding more pressure to an already existing social problem. It is also worrying that some of these children end up contracting HIV from their parents before they die thus leaving them vulnerable and in intense suffering. More of these cases are thereby being triggered by an increased issue of pandemic among the ravaged societies(Clémençon et al., 2015) . Cuba through its strategic health goals managed to keep the rate of infection of HIV low that was attributed the its efforts between the public and private health sectors.
In particular, the government was able to pull enough resources together in the fight against the spread of HIV that helped increase awareness through campaigns about the serious needs of HIV. The efforts that were direct mainly among the young people and couples was the right move that ensured that people took the right precautionary measures in trying to stop the spread of HIV. In addition, Cuba worked closely with the WHO mainly in the period between 1990-2000 that was seen in extensive research and increased finding of the various health groups trying to fight HIV. In line with this, the government increased its capacity within the health ministry through added budget that assisted in the creation of the right programs for sensitization and training of the personnel manded in the fight against HIV (Mastroberardino et al., 2015). To add on this, the government was also able to broaden its reach to the rural areas where the pandemic was thought to silently creep into the villages thus able to
Methods
This report adopts a journal review approach to gather data and information about Cuban health specifically the HIV pandemic. The data being analyzed will be gathered from existing government records and other online sources relating the Cuban heath system. One of the reasons for using this type of information is that it is easy to retrieve, accurate, and provides a broad coverage of the topic. To add on this, the data provided in this form covers the specific area of study and thus the analysis and deductions can easily be made. The report will therefore gather data from existing journals, reports on HIV pandemic in Cuba, as well as published online materials. Additionally, the report will combine various data that is presented in tabular form to compile a credible analysis of the HIV status of Cuba between 1986 and 2000. Although some of the data may have been distorted and inaccurate, the report will endeavor to provide the most accurate and reliable data. The use of peer reviewed journals and previous reports will help gather accurate and reliable data for this report (Spear, 2016). These sources of data are reliable and provide the right data outlook that also points to the level of accuracy even when doing analysis and making deductions. More information will be derived from existing reports that will supplement that gathered from journals thus make the whole report comprehensive and detailed.
Results
Cuba as communist nation has faced some of the most serous cases of HIV infections and deaths within the period dating 1986 to 2000. Over time, the rates of infections and deaths in Cuba gained a national and global attention with the problem mainly affecting the young people. To better understand the Cuban HIV issue, it is good to look at how the figures pain the picture about the pandemic within this period. HIV transmission and number of deaths in Cuba has been studied for many years showing a common pattern like other countries (Mastroberardino et al., 2015). To better map out this trend, the Cuban health ministry and the voluntary agencies in the health docket have provided a series of figures that project and show how the HIV pandemic has ravaged the country. The table shows that Cuba was one of the least affected countries in South America by HIV. The country recorded a total of 99 HIV cases in the year 1986 and 545 in the year 2000. One of the key pointers to the slow increase in the number of cases in Cuba between 1986 and 2000 is the government’s strict laws on social and entertainment business.
To say the least, Cuba was able to keep its HIV infection numbers low that was attributed to the massive spending on awareness campaigns among the youth. The UN records that Cuba was among the first nations to launch a HIV pandemic awareness campaigns and millions of dollars pent in the program. Estimated HIV prevalence among 15- to 49-year-olds was 8.1 per 10,000 (4913/6065000; 95%CI: 7.9 per 10,000 – 8.3 per 10,000). Most (77%) of the HIV-positive adults were men, most (85.1%) of the detected HIV-positive men were reported to come from the rural areas of the country. Though the government’s intervention and sensitization campaigns, Cuba was able to curb the spread of HIV to a considerable amount. The same table shows that Cuba recorded a total of 5 AIDS cases in the year 1986 and 251 in 2000. These figures show a slow rise in number of AIDS cases that was attributed to huge efforts and campaigns to create awareness abut the pandemic (Clémençon et al., 2015). The deaths from AIDS were also low compared to other countries that was attributed to the positive efforts to sensitize people about the pandemic. Cuba recorded a total of 2 deaths in the year 1986 and 142 in the year 2000. Such figures are low compared to other countries that shows a great aspect of care and efforts from the government.
Discussion
The HIV models and data from various studies and government record as well as the WHO puts across a very important case. Over the years, the data on HIV both in the rate of infection, deaths, and spread has shown that the world is far from victory form this pandemic (Angulo-Arreola et al., 2017). One of the underlying issues in the spread of HIV among the young people is the lack of awareness. The awareness campaigns have yet to address the issue with many people ignoring the sensitivity of the disease. Another outlook is the adverse rates at which the HIV is increasing mainly among the youths. One of the key pointers to the increasing cases of HIV infections and deaths. The WHO has pointed out that the rate of HIV infections has remained flat but the number of deaths has steadily increased. One of the key data sources shows that over the past ten years, the rate of HIV infections in the developing countries mainly in Africa has risen by at least 2.2% annually on average. The same data shows that the number of deaths per 10000 infections has remained at 655 within the first five years of contracting HIV (Spear, 2016). These figures suggest a common pattern that insinuates a worrying trend that needs urgent attention.
The increase in the number of HIV infections mainly among the young people pronounces an issue with sensitization campaigns that needs to be stepped up. The data shows that the infections cycle appears to stand and remains a key focus when analyzing the HIV infections and death rates. To better understand the nature and aspect of HIV rates and trends, it is good to look at how and where the problem is headed. To add on this, the rates of infections versus the number of deaths pattern can also help point to how and where the problem of HIV is likely to head. Still, the fight against HIV in Cuba that is centered on sensitization campaigns and preventive measures. For example, Cuba has increased bits HIV spending by 55% in the past ten years(Mastroberardino et al., 2015). These funds have been directed to improving the country’s fight against AIDS mainly in the purchase of ARVs and other vital apparatus in the fight against the disease. The trends in the data also points to a scenario where Cuba has been able to increase its health delivery capacity over the years.
While other countries were recording a double-digit percentage increase in the HIV cases since 1986, Cuba was able to keep its rates low. The trend shows that Cuba was not only able to control the rate of infection but also the deaths that is a great step to solving the problem (Angulo-Arreola et al., 2017). One of the key ways the country is dealing with an upsurge in Aids cases is through sensitization campaigns and inclusive efforts that are in line with the core needs of the country health needs. People have totally kept a blind eye on the problems brought by HIV and thus triggering a mass spread of the disease. Even with the ongoing campaign against the disease, some people and leaders are still adamant or lazy to say the least in the approach they are taking against HIV spread. Billions of dollars contributed by the UN and other global agencies and charities are doing some considerable work in addressing the illness. Moreover, Cuba stands among the countries the invest heavily in the health sector thus able to counter arising illnesses. It is for this reason that Cuba was able to control the spread of AIDS mainly in the years leading to the new millennium. Further, the Cuban government laid down strategies to fighting HIV that were in line with the WHO guidelines thus able to counter the spread of the illness (Spear, 2016). For example, Cuba committed a total of 205 million dollars between the year 1995-1998 in scientific research on HIV that was hailed by the international community in stepping up the fight against the pandemic.
Still, Cuba maintained a steady commitment of funds to the research and awareness campaigns on HIV that helped keep the rates of infections under close check. More of these funds were directed to the poor regions of the country that saw many youths register and join the sensitization programs all across the country (Mastroberardino et al., 2015). For example, a total of $650 Million was spent in the sensitization campaigns between 1997-2000 that helped spread the message about the ways to take safety from the deadly HIV virus. In line with the efforts out by Cuban government, the UN and the WHO were also a pivotal pillar for the country’s fight against HIV where billions have been spent in tying tor help create awareness. Millions of youths in Cuba were registered into programs that aimed at sensitizing them on precautionary measures (Clémençon et al., 2015). Voluntary groups and charities also joined hands contributing both manpower and millions of dollars in the fight against HIV in Cuba.
The WHO through its global health fund diverted a total of 706 million dollars in Cuba between 1995-2000 that was a major milestone in assisting the government combat the spread of the illness (Angulo-Arreola et al., 2017). In addition, national funds in the heath sector has been increased to enhance the capacity of the health officers in fighting HIV. Cuba through its strategic health goals has maintained a strong public health policy that guides in the funds distribution. One of the positive things to note is that a large portion of these fuds goes into the HIV prevention and safety campaigns across the country thus increasing the fighting capacity. More young people right at family level have received education on the HIV pandemic, preventive measures, and more importantly the avenues to stay safe (Spear, 2016). Through these efforts, Cuba was able to keep its intentions rates low that is attributed to the country’s increased focus on public health and sensitization about the pandemics and infectious diseases.
One of the greatest focus for the government in Cuba has been the increased derived effects that have been directed to creating a stable health care system. More on this is the specific goals that align with the WHO guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of HIV among the youths (Clémençon et al., 2015). The Cuban government has noted that within its scope, it can handle and mitigate the spread of HIV thus increasing its capacity by joining hands with charity groups and the WHO. More efforts have been directed to creating a reliable health system that is based on service delivery as well as goal-oriented health care delivery within the core areas like in addressing infectious diseases. For example, Cuba is said to have spent 23% of its budget in health care and more specifically in the infectious disease. 45% of this money went into research and education as well as training of medical professionals who have been key in the fight against HIV (Mastroberardino et al., 2015) . More medical training institutions set up in the country have been the backbone to the country’s fight against key illnesses like HIV. More of these efforts have also gone into creating the right platform for education, enlightment, and the training of the young doctors and health officials who are in the frontline in the fight against HIV.
References
Mastroberardino, A., Cheng, Y., Abdelrazec, A., & Liu, H. (2015). Mathematical modeling of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cuba. International Journal of Biomathematics, 8(04), 1550047.
Clémençon, S., De Arazoza, H., Rossi, F., & Tran, V. C. (2015). A statistical network analysis of the HIV/AIDS epidemics in Cuba. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 5(1), 58.
Spear, M. (2016). HIV/AIDS in the Cuban Sanatorium: The Tension between Public Health and Human Rights.
Castro, A. (2016). Towards an HIV-free generation in Cuba. Bull World Health Organ, 94, 866-867.
Angulo-Arreola, I. A., Bastos, F. I., & Strathdee, S. A. (2017). Substance abuse and HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean: Current challenges and the ongoing response. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 16(1), 56-74.
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