This weeks reading was very interesting to me, as it addressed the very practical part of HIV AIDS: how to deal with it. I personally, was surprised by Malcolm Potts’ (et al) research results. Some of the fundamental HIV AIDS remedies that seem to be the most commercialized and discussed seemed to be the least effective, while others that are rarely discussed were shown as the most effective.
HIV AIDS testing has been a hot topic since the beginning of the research within the epidemic. Even just weeks ago, a new development surfaced about better HIV AIDS testing, both faster and more accurate. However, as described in the article, HIV AIDS testing will be “unlikely to substantially alter the epidemic’s course.” This was surprising to me; as such an emphasis has been placed in funding for better testing. If the article holds true, perhaps resources going into testing should be redirected to more effective remedies.
In contrast, male circumcision, an area talked very little about, was listed as a leader in helping reduce the high infection rate. In fact, the article listed it first in the “what works category.” Other remedies in this category seemed more discussed, like reductions of sexual partners and abstinence. Still, attention should be drawn, even in academic circles, of how these other areas can help reduce infection.
In addition to these observations, I found two other areas interesting, both linked. I was rather shocked that the article made such large claims merely by correlation. As we know from statistics or any experimental based research, correlation does not equal causation. However, perhaps it was just the writing, it seemed as if the authors were inferring that in many situations, the correlations they saw were proof enough to infer causation.
That being said, I though that it was interesting how they went about refuting the natural concepts of HIV AIDS that most people think, including how poverty and other social concepts have a large stake in the diseases course.
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