Why Sub-Saharan Africa? Why the HIV/Aids Crisis? And My Research Process
For as long as I can remember my dad has traveled all around the globe to countless countries and cities for his job as a government employee. From Kuwait, to Iraq, to Djibouti, Africa, he has seen it all, yet often times these travels came with a price. Upon his return back home he would describe to my sister and I all he witnessed throughout his journeys- the good, the bad, and the ugly (if we inquired). As he has traveled to Africa numerous times, he recalled the famine and utter lack of development present during every single visit. He also usually arrived back home with a stomach bug, sick for weeks from dirty drinking water and parasites. This tragic plight that I heard many Africans endure on a daily basis called me to look into more of the possible hardships these inhabitants faced, one of which being AIDS.
Originally, I intended to focus on how the HIV/AIDS crisis impacted the social and economic affairs of its citizens, focusing in on trade and global relations, yet as I began my research, I saw that the spread of this disease was affected by more variables variables than it affected. Topics such as the civil war and sexual aggression that further this disease impacted commerce, tourism, and travel around the region less than I presumed. What was once a research question, evolved into a statement and finally a thesis with a viable solution, which provided the basis for my research essay. I had originally guessed that upon beginning my research I would find facts and news stories about travelers that were scared to enter into the region due to fear of contraction, thus causing severe economic backlash from a lack of an exchange of fresh goods and people. However, as time went on, I had trouble finding information on WHAT this disease impacted, and instead stumbled upon WHY this disease is so prevalent.
Because the AIDS crisis has been well-known for decades, I had some prior background knowledge on my topic, as well as interest in this destructive disease, which made the entire process less agonizing. Yet, as my research project continued not every card and bit of information was easy to organize, nor was every source clean-cut or easy to access. It took time for me to adjust to the notecard strategy, but despite my skepticism at first they proved to be handy when drafting my final copy. Another challenge I encountered was that I would occasionally find a very reputable, factual source that I could not utilize because the information would be older than the expected cut-off date. This was often frustrating because I wanted to use and cite the information present, as I thought it flowed well with my project, however it wasn't current enough. To my surprise, once I realized that I was allowed to alter my question slightly, I dug a little deeper into my online research, and I found an amazing website known as Avert. This cite has a plethora of HIV/AIDS facts, charts, statistics, methods of contraction and even prevention. Personally, I had an issue balancing all my sources and tended to slightly overuse Avert and its facts, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Avert has very insightful information.
Since the HIV/AIDS crisis has been an ongoing issue for decades, it is difficult to pinpoint any new, ground-breaking discoveries. Although some possible medicinal options have arisen, as described in my research essay, no new break-through treatment has been created since the start of my research journey. However, it is said that 92% of all affected persons have been diagnosed, and of those affected, 98% are using treatment options, according to "Good News about the State of the HIV Epidemic." Due to the severity and widespread prevalence of the dilemma, it will be difficult to develop a single "cure", yet scientists and doctors should continue working towards and utilizing oral medications and antiretrovirals to combat the aggressive spread.
Works Cited
“Good News about the State of the HIV Epidemic.” HIV & AIDS Information :: Introduction to Pharmacokinetics, 12 Dec. 2018,
www.aidsmap.com/HIV-update-12th-December-2018/page/3405867/. Accessed 30 Dec. 2018.
Header Borrowed From "How to Take Children on an African Safari"
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-take-children-on-an-african-safari-1404415439
www.aidsmap.com/HIV-update-12th-December-2018/page/3405867/. Accessed 30 Dec. 2018.
Header Borrowed From "How to Take Children on an African Safari"
https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-take-children-on-an-african-safari-1404415439