SOCW 8205 Medical Social Homework: HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination- Walden University
Over the past several decades, education, medical advances, and public health efforts have tempered the public image of HIV/AIDS. Despite these efforts, patients with HIV/AIDS continue to experience stigma and discrimination, which may negatively affect a patient's mental health status. The stigma impedes patients from seeking HIV tests, particularly in certain ethnic and racial groups. Reducing the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS is one of many roles carried out by HIV/AIDS social workers.
The advent and availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 1996 changed the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. ART is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. It is a medication regimen that controls the level of HIV virus in the blood, leading to prolonged life expectancy and improved quality of life for patients with HIV/AIDS. It is often difficult for patients to accept and comprehend that ART is a lifelong treatment that must be taken on a strict schedule. Deviations from treatment schedules often lead to detrimental consequences. Medical social workers play an integral role in supporting patients with HIV/AIDS on ART.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Review this week's resources. Consider stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. Think about the negative effects of stigma and discrimination, including the psychological burdens that create formidable obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
Task
• Post an explanation of factors causing stigma and discrimination in patients with HIV/AIDS.
• Then, describe the impact of stigma and discrimination on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and patients' psychosocial profiles.
• Explain the propensity of excessive stigma and discrimination in certain ethnic and racial groups.
• Provide examples to illustrate your response.
• Focus on the NASW Code of Ethics and explain ways you might address stigma and discrimination while providing HIV/AIDS education and preventive services.
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the homework, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Resources
• McCoyd, J. L. M., & Kerson, T. S., (Eds.). (2016). Social work in health settings: Practice in context (4th ed.) New York, NY: Routledge. Chapter 6, "Working With Families With HIV-Positive Children" (pp. 79-89)
• Gehlert, S., & Browne, T. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of health social work (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
• Chapter 20, "Chronic Disease and Social Work: Diabetes, Heart Disease, and HIV/AIDS" (pp. 463-488)