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WELCOME TO MY WEBPAGE
We have two major religious groups in Nigeria namely: Christian and Islamic religious group.
THE HIV/AIDS CASE IN NIGERIA
At the end of 2001,a federal survey reveals that 5.8 percent of the population of Nigeria tested positive to HIV. The current statistics stands at 5.0 percent. Nigeria still has the third largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world.
RELIGION AS THE HIGHEST MOTIVATING FACTOR
Religious beliefs have great impact on people who practice it. People spend a lot of time in fulfilling their religious responsibilities. People are willing to give up everything even their money for religious sake. People can accept to suffer even to the point of death for their religion. Most of the apostles gave their lives for the sake of religions just as Christ did. This shows that religion is the greatest motivating factor of human person.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS
Both Christians and Moslems practice some religious belief but one practice is common, which is morality. Christians and Moslems take the issue of sexual immorality very seriously .All the religions accept that sexual immorality is bad. Ephisian 5:3 prohibits sexual immorality, I quote, “but fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you”. The Qur’an also says, “Nor come nigh to adultery, for it is indecent and an evil way” (AI –Israi, Q 17:32). Also Thessalonians 4:3 say, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification that you should abstain from sexual immorality”. Both religious groups strongly discourage sexual immorality.
WHY THE FAITH BASE ADVOCACY?
Despite the faith base sensitization, immorality is on the increase, which can be seen from sexual behavioral pattern in our society today. For instance the way of dressing of ladies these days and other behaviours. Sexuality has almost taken over the world. For instance, one will not be surprised that a car advertisement that has nothing to do with a woman will have a half naked woman being displayed close to the car being advertised.
“And they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity, with greed” (Ephesians 4:19). It is against this backdrop that we are encouraging the religious groups and their leaders to stand firm to their responsibilities with a view to ensuring religious belief are strictly adhered to. Immoral sexual behaviour is the biggest means of transmitting HIV/AIDS.ie it is estimated that over 80% of HIV infections in Africa emanates from sexual immorality. RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES ARE THE BEST AND THE SUREST WAY OF PREVENTING HIV/AIDS
PLEA
The faith base sensitization is expected to fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. It is in this light that I implore to be part of this sensitization, which encourage people to take their religion seriously and to practice what they preach. I believe that people can abstain from sexual immorality for the sake of their religion. Thessalonians prohibits sexual immorality .1st peter 2:2 encourage you, it says, “like newborn babes long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation”. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I urge you therefore brethren, the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is that which is good and acceptable and perfect”
And finally I have this to say; the time passed is enough for us to have carried out all lustful desires of the flesh (sexual immorality).
I have to end with quoting the book of 1st Peter 4:2-3 which says, “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the list of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, drinking parties and abominable idolatries”.
HIV AND AIDS
WHAT IS HIV?
HIV also referred to as AIDS virus stands for HUMAN IMMUNO-DEFFICIENCY VIRUS, is a virus that infects human beings and causes a lowering of the body’s immune system. This makes it impossible for the body to fight certain infections.
It could be further explained as follows:
H Human, because the AIDS virus only lives in human beings and not animals, insects, water etc
I Immunodeficiency, the AIDS virus causes the body soldiers that act as body defense immune system not to be effective in protecting the body from diseases.
V Virus, this is very small germ that cannot be seen wit the eyes but is harmful to the body.
A person who is found to have the virus in his body is referred to as being HIV positive and the person who is not infected is referred to as being HIV negative.
WHAT IS AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is a disease that presently has no cure. A harmful germ or virus known as HIV causes it. When this Virus enters the body, it destroys the body immune system known as body soldiers making it impossible for the body to fight infections.
It could be further explained as follows:
A Acquired means that one gets the diseases from some where else and that the body does not make the disease.
I Immune means that one is protected and has body soldiers with the ability to fight illness so that one can stay healthy.
D Deficiency means one is lacking something
S Syndrome, a group of illnesses that happen together
However, it is known that there are some people who are HIV positive, but their condition will never lead to full blown AIDS. These are known as HIV carriers. This may be as a result of their un-usual strong immune system, or it may be that they are regularly taking HIV treatment drugs (known as anti retroviral drugs) so that the diseases may never progress to AIDS. These drugs are very expensive so are beyond the reach of many poor people.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
It is important to know that the signs and symptoms that will be mentioned below are also signs and symptoms of other diseases. The only way to determine for sure if somebody has HIV/AIDS is through a blood test. A person could be infected for 1 to 10 years without any symptoms however, where there are symptoms (opportunistic infections) they may include one or more of the following: -
Sever weight loss
Fever lasting for more than one month
Chronic diarrhea lasting for more than one month
Persistent sever fatigue
Skin irritations
Mouth ulcers/infections
Tiredness at all times
Swollen glands
Constant cough
Night sweats
Many other unexplained illness
HOW HIV IS SPREAD
HIV can only be spread by having direct contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, semen (the fluid that carries the sperm), and vaginal fluids. Thus, the main ways of getting and spreading AIDS virus are:
Having unprotected sex (vaginal oral or anal sex)
Through sharing of sharp or pointed instrument e.g. razorblade. Barbing/nail clippers, piercing needles and sacrificial knives.
Transfusion of infected blood or blood products
From infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery and after delivery (during breast feeding)
HOW HIV IS NOT TRANSMITTED
HIV is not transmitted through:
Sneezing or coughing
Mosquitoes or insects bites
Touching or hugging
Holding Hands
Sharing plates, cups dresses, bathrooms, swimming pool
Caring for people living with HIV/AIDS
Dancing
PREVENTION OF HIV/AIDS
As there is no cure for HIV/AIDS and no effective vaccine for them, the best remedy is avoid contacting this disease at all. Some way in which HIV/AIDS are prevented include;
ABSTINENCE
The surest way of not being infected is to abstain from sexual intercourse. It is advised that teenagers who are not yet ready for marriage should avoid sexual intercourse to avoid the deadly disease.
AVOID PROMISCUITY
Those who are married should avoid sex with any other person other than their partner for this can expose the innocent partner to danger of being infected.
AVOID SHARING NEEDLES OR SHARP OBJECTS
The use of sharp objects, clippers and others could make one catch HIV; therefore it is important that people desist from these or the use of unsterilized clippers to cut their hair.
AVOID TRANSFUSION WITH UNSCREENED BLOOD
Blood for transfusion should be properly screened for HIV and other diseases before use
THROUGH PRACTISING SAFER SEX
Some people are sexually active that they cannot do without sexing. In other words those ones cannot control their body. For such people it is advised they should make constant use of condom during sexual act. But remember that condom does not give 100% protection against HIV/AIDS. Iam commited to the business of touching and saving lives through faith base senitisation on HIV/AIDs.> (OCHAGANA ANTHONY EYENE.
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