HIV in Rural Communities
I met Carol Galper, EdD, CHES, Assistant Dean for Medical Student Education at the University of Arizona School of Medicine, last year. I was fortunate to run into her on a plane where we talked about HIV. Galper is one of those people who’s seen the epidemic from the beginning, and she has been advocate ever since.
Recently, I was sitting with her at a coffee shop at the Arizona Center in Phoenix. She was involved with continued medical education for HIV patient treatment for Dentist. I told her I was covering border health for Border Beat, and she bombarded me with scenarios that I would never have imagined.
You’re in Yuma Arizona. You’ve come in contact with a friend’s blood. You know that they are promiscuous and have unprotected sex. You ask them if they’ve been tested for HIV. The scoff, and say they are negative. But you’re just a little unsure. You know you should be fine, but you want to be safe. However, it’s a small town and everyone knows about the HIV clinic. What do you do?
People in rural community drive miles to larger cities to get tested, Galper said. They fear the stigma in the small community and the possible leaking of the results. The same goes for people in Mexico, and many cross the border to receive treatment.
No one should feel they have to drive hours out of their way for piece of mind. The best tool of preventing infection is absolutely no exposure, but should you be exposed, time is of the essences. Post exposure prophylaxis only works if it’s administered right away, preventing the virus from getting a foothold. However, it’s not a guaranteed to prevent HIV.
The best way to fight HIV is knowledge and communication. Dialogues must be opened and people must educate themselves and others. I know plenty of people who live long, normal lives, and they get married and have families. Their lives are different. Wishing they never contracted the virus, they live.
Educate yourself and others.
