Introduction
The identification of the main points of health-related concern is essential for planning an intervention strategy and identifying the risk groups that should be primarily reached (Skolnik, 2012). The paper at hand targets to provide an overview of the burden of the most concerning diseases such as TB, HIV, and AIDS that need to be currently considered in South Africa (Pew Research Center, 2014). The report likewise covers the problem of minority groups as they are most likely to be exposed to the risks of these diseases. Finally, the paper provides an overview of the interventions and preventative strategies implemented both at the governmental and community levels.
The Burden of Disease and Minority Health Issues in South Africa
According to the Pew Research Center (2014), TB, HIV, and AIDS are the major health-related concerns in South Africa (para. 8). Statistics shows that the country has the highest HIV incidence rate in the world with the number of infected people reaching more than six million people. In addition, there were more than 300 thousand new infections registered in 2013. It is reported that women are more exposed to the infection than men, and the main risk group in terms of age is 30-34 years old (Avert, 2016).
The representatives of the minority groups are most exposed to HIV and AIDS. Hence, there are three main risk groups that need to be distinguished. First and foremost, it is the so-called “men who have sex with men” or the MSM group. According to the official data, the prevalence of HIV among MSM makes 9.9%. Such a high rate might be explained by the fact that this group experiences severe social pressure that creates a barrier to their addressing the relevant medical organizations (Avert, 2016).
The second risk group is composed of sex workers. The prevalence of HIV within this group makes 34%-69% varying in accordance with the region. The high rate of incidence within this group is explained by the fact that sex workers are discriminated by the local laws; thus, their access to health care resources is very limited (Avert, 2016).
Finally, the last risk group comprises drug-addicted residents. Statistics shows that those individuals that inject drugs tend to share the injection equipment in 86% of cases. As a result, the burden of HIV in this group makes 16.2% (Avert, 2016). Kagee et al. (2014) also point out the increased risk of HIV among “teenagers who receive mental health care” (p. 167).
Current Public Health Strategies and Interventions in South Africa
South African Government makes significant efforts to provide consistent health care in the country. The problem of TB, HIV and AIDS is actively addressed – the country has launched the “world’s largest treatment program” involving almost three million people (South African Government, 2015, para. 12). In the framework of this program, a series of campaigns was launched.
First and foremost, they introduced the Prevent, Avoid, Stop, Overcome and Protect (PASOP) Campaign that encourages communities to join the government in the attempt to reduce the incidence of TB, HIV, and AIDS; it is expected that this campaign will help to reduce the incidence by 50%. The program includes such interventions as screening, testing, encouraging patients to undergo the relevant medical treatment, and improving the social environment. The latter implies reducing the discrimination of the HIV, and AIDS-infected in the society (South African Government, 2015).
According to the official statistics, the HIV is commonly found in single women that have relationships with older men or multiple partners (South African Government, 2015, para. 21). As a result, this group is addressed especially actively. The government likewise tries to reach the minority groups through the prevention program. Hence, gays, lesbians, sex workers and other representatives of the minority groups are encouraged to undergo the relevant screening.
The country initiates numerous studies to evaluate the scope of the problem. Thus, in 2014, South Africa held the HIV Research for Prevention Conference that united more than a hundred participants from all over the world. This year, they plan to host International AIDS Conference in Durban that will become an important discussion platform for local and foreign specialists (South African Government, 2015).
Collaboration Efforts to Address Burden of Disease in South Africa
The problem of the high incidence rate of TB, HIV and AIDS is intensively addressed not only by the government but the communities as well. Hence, the World Health Organization has carried out a research targeted to evaluate the effectiveness of the community-directed intervention (CDI) that composes the enteral element of the South African disease prevention program. In the framework of this study, CDI is regarded as “an approach in which communities themselves direct the planning and implementation of intervention delivery” (World Health Organization, 2009).
The strategy is aimed at improving four areas of health care: vitamin shortage, insects-related infections, TB, and malaria. According to the research findings, the collaboration efforts can be more effective than the governmental activity. The CDI approach is also more cost-effective. Secondly, this method allows reaching the minority groups in a more efficient way. In other words, the well-trained community members are less exposed to be prejudiced; in addition, they do not set the strict limits imposed by official health care organizations (World Health Organization, 2009).
Conclusion
The analysis of the burden of diseases in South Africa has shown that the main points of concern are TB, AIDS, and HIV. The incidence of these diseases is constantly increasing as they are mainly transmitted by the minority groups. The latter, in their turn, have limited access to the health care resources; hence, they often fail to address for a timely professional health or perform the essential preventative measures.
In the meantime, both the government and the local communities make significant efforts to improve the situation. Thus, the South African government invests in the relevant research and studies actively in order to work out effective prevention strategies. Community members likewise take up the responsibilities for assisting minority groups in receiving high-quality medical help.
Reference List
Avert. (2016). HIV and AIDS in South Africa. Web.
Kagee, A., Donenberg, G., Davids, A., Vermaak, R., Simbayi, L., Ward, C., Naidoo, P., & Mthembu, J. (2014). Identifying community risk factors for HIV among South African adolescents with mental health problems: A qualitative study of parental perceptions. Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 26(3), 165-176.
Pew Research Center. (2014). Public health a major priority in African nations.
Skolnik, R. (2012). Global health 101. Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
South African Government. (2015). Health.
World Health Organization. (2009). Community-directed interventions for priority health problems in Africa: results of a multicountry study. Web.