Topic: To conduct an Investigation on chronic disease that is prevalent in a named Caribbean

country.
by

Brittania Campbell

Candidate’s #:

1000640024

Kadedra Diaram

Candidate’s #: 1000640040

Aaron Randall

Candidate’s #: 1000640091

An assignment submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the course CAPE Caribbean Studies

Teacher: Mrs. L Arnold

Date: May 08, 2017

Department of Business Education

School: Little London High School

Centre #: 100064

Territory: Jamaica

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents Pages

Section 1
Acknowledgement
Introduction

Purpose of the research

Statement of the problem

Value of the research

Technical terms used in the study

Section 2

Literature Review

Section 3

Data Collection Sources

Presentation of data

Analysis of Data

Discussion of Findings

Conclusion, Limitations and Recommendation

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 Acknowledgement

This research would not have been possible without the support of many individuals. The

researcher expresses special thanks to her teacher Miss L, Arnold for her assistance and

guidance, it was greatly appreciated. Deepest gratitude is also due to the researcher’s parents

who provided support both financially and emotionally, also to the individuals (respondents)

who participated in the survey. Finally the researcher expresses sincere gratitude to the Almighty

God for giving her the strength and providing the necessary tools to make this study a success.

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 Introduction

The investigation seeks to obtain information pertaining to the prevalent and impact of Aids

among people in a particular country. Haiti was the country chosen to carry out the investigation.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (HIV) is

a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a syndrome caused by a virus called HIV

(human immunodeficiency virus). The disease alters the immune system, making people much

more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the syndrome

progresses.

HIV is found throughout all the tissues of the body but is transmitted via the body fluids of an

infected person (semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk).

The outcome of the findings is to reveal solutions to diminish the risk of related chronic such as
the one being investigated.

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 Statement of the problem

The researcher has noticed the rapid increase in the number of persons with Aids/HIV in the
country of Haiti, as a result of this observation; the researcher has decided to carry out an
investigation into the causes of Aids/HIV and the impact it has on the people in the country of
Haiti.

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 Purpose of the research

The study will provide information for Aids/HIV, health care providers, caregivers of Aids/HIV

and nutritionist the study will also provide a frame work from which other students may develop

future studies.

Additionally, with the information obtained from the study, individuals such as HIV/AIDS

victims and non- HIV/AIDS victims will become better aware of the subject and will therefore

be better able of dealing with the issues encountered from day to day.

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 Research Questions

The research examined answer to the following questions:

1. What are some of the steps which should be taken to reduce the risk of having

AIDS/HIV?

2. What are the factors that contribute to AIDS/HIV?

3. How does AIDS/HIV affect the people in the country of Haiti?

4. What is the effect that AIDS/HIV has on the family members of AIDS/HIV?

5. What are the causes of AIDS/HIV?

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 Definition of key term

For the purpose of clarity the researcher has defined key terms used throughout this

paper

1. AIDS - is a syndrome caused by a virus called HIV (human immunodeficiency

2. HIV- is the virus, which attacks the T-cells (CD-4 cells) in the immune system.

3. Immune System – is a host defense system comprising many biological structures

and processes within an organism that protects against diseases.

4. Chronic Diseases- is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured. 

5. Impact- The effect or impression of one thing on another

6. Citizens - One who is originally from a country?

7. Consequence- Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition. 

8. Cause- A person event or thing that makes something happens.

9. Heredity- This is the passing of traits to offspring from its parents or ancestors.

10. Damage- injure are harm that reduces value or usefulness.

11. Findings- A conclusion reached after examination or investigation.

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 Literature Review

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely. So once you have
HIV, you have it for life.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the
immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T
cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers.
Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and
disease. These opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system
and signal that the person has AIDS, the last state of HIV infection.
No effective cure for HIV currently exists, but with proper treatment and medical care, HIV can
be controlled. The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy or ART. If taken
the right way, every day, and this medicine can dramatically prolong the lives of many people
with HIV, keep them healthy, and greatly lower their chance of transmitting the virus to others.
Today, a person who is diagnosed with HIV, treated before the disease is far advanced, and stays
on treatment can live a nearly as long as someone who does not have HIV.
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, and not everyone who has HIV advances to this stage.
AIDS is the stage of infection that occurs when your immune system is badly damaged and you
become vulnerable to opportunistic infections. When the number of your CD4 cells falls below
200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3), you are considered to have progressed
to AIDS. (The CD4 count of an uninfected adult/adolescent who is generally in good health
ranges from 500 cells/mm3 to 1,600 cells/mm3.) You can also be diagnosed with AIDS if you
develop one or more opportunistic infections, regardless of your CD4 count. According to Lisa
Bernstein Medical Doctor, without treatment, people who are diagnosed with AIDS typically
survive about 3 years once someone has a dangerous opportunistic illness, life expectancy
without treatment falls to about 1 year. People with AIDS need medical treatment to prevent
death.
Scientists identified a type of chimpanzee in Central Africa as the source of HIV infection in
humans. They believe that the chimpanzee version of the immunodeficiency virus (called simian
immunodeficiency virus, or SIV) most likely was transmitted to humans and mutated into HIV
when humans hunted these chimpanzees for meat and came into contact with their infected
blood. Studies show that HIV may have jumped from apes to humans as far back as the late
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 1800s. Over decades, the virus slowly spread across Africa and later into other parts of the
world. We know that the virus has existed in Haiti since at least the mid- to late 1970s.

 HIV is diagnosed via a rapid HIV test. In this test, HIV antigens are affixed to a test strip. The
strip is exposed to a sample of blood obtained via finger stick. If HIV antibodies are present in
the blood sample, they bind to the affixed antigen. This results in an indicator change. This test
has sensitivity and specificity in the high 90th percentile. A western blot for confirmation is not
available. The HSC lab can determine the CD4 count but not the viral load.
According to the USAID website:
“With 2.2 percent of adults estimated to be HIV positive, Haiti has a generalized HIV/AIDS
epidemic. It has the largest epidemic in the Caribbean, where about three-quarters of HIV-
positive people live in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. First reported in 1979, HIV infections in
Haiti increased until the early 1990s. Prevalence then began to decrease, particularly in urban
areas. HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics declined notably from
5.9 percent in 1996 to 3.1 percent in 2004. The decline, however, appears to have stabilized at
2.2 percent prevalence in recent years. The latest sentinel antenatal survey found a
seroprevalence rate among pregnant women of 2.7 percent. While positive behavior changes may
be in part responsible for the overall decline, significant levels of high-risk behavior have
persisted, particularly in rural areas and among young people. Overall, the negative health,
economic, and social impacts of HIV/AIDS continue to be disproportionately high due to a weak
health care system, extreme poverty, and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.”
According to Jamaica Observer, Article published on Fri. 9, 2013
HIV is spread through contact with certain body fluids from a person infected with HIV. These
body fluids include:
  Blood
 Semen
 Pre-seminal fluid
 Vaginal fluids
 Rectal fluids
 Breast milk

The spread of HIV from person to person is called HIV transmission. The spread of HIV from an

HIV-infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding is called mother-

to-child transmission of HIV.

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In Haiti HIV is spread mainly by having sex with or sharing drug injection equipment with

someone who is infected with HIV.

Jeffrey H. Samet a Medical Doctor Said; Mother-to-child transmission is the most common way

that children become infected with HIV. A mother can pass the infection on to her child during

childbirth, pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding...  

If a person has been exposed to the virus, it is crucial that they get tested as soon as possible. The
earlier HIV is detected, the more likely the treatment will be successful. A home testing kit can
be used as well.
After infection with HIV, it can take from 3 weeks to 6 months for the virus to show up in
testing. Re-testing may be necessary. If the moment a patient was most at risk of infection was
within the last 6 months, they can have the test immediately. However, the provider will urge
that another test be carried out within a few week

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 Methodology

In this chapter the research methodology used in the study is described along with the

geographical area where the study was conducted, the study design and the population and

sample. The instruments used to collect the data, including methods implemented to maintain

validity and reliability of the instruments are also described.

Research Design

The design chosen for the study is a survey. This was done to find out the causes of diabetes and

how it impacts adults between the ages of thirty-five and seventy in the community of Bay Road.

A survey is a data collection tool used to gather information about individuals. Surveys are

commonly used in psychology research to collect self-report data from study participants. A

survey may focus on factual information about individuals, or it might aim to collect the opinions

of the participant.

A survey can be administered in a number of ways. In the structured interview, the researcher

asks each participant the questions, but in the questionnaire method the participant fills out the

survey on his/her own.

Surveys are generally standardized to ensure that they have reliability and validity.

Standardization is also important so that the results can be generalized to the larger population.

Questionnaires were used to collect data. Thirty (30) questionnaires were distributed to residence

of Bay Road. The questionnaires were hand delivered.

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 The Sample

Thirty persons made up the sample. The sample consisted mainly of individuals of an African

descent. These thirty individuals were chosen as a sample of the entire population. The

participants were chosen by the Simple random sampling method. The simple random sampling

technique was used because it reduces bias since subjects are randomly assigned to treatments,

and the researcher is blind to the identity of the subjects. It is also easy and convenient to use. An

important benefit of simple random sampling is that it allows researchers to use statistical

methods to analyze sample results. For example, given a simple random sample, researchers can

use statistical methods to define a confidence interval around a sample mean. Statistical analysis

is not appropriate when non-random sampling methods are used (Mills, 2003).

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 Data Collection Instrument

The data in a research should be valid and reliable. With these taken into consideration the

research was aimed at providing statistical and numerical information. This research is known as

a Quantitative Research. Questionnaire was the data collection tool used to collect the

information.

A good questionnaire can be a powerful tool in generating information; however a poorly

designed questionnaire can be difficult for both the participant and the person analyzing the data.

The questionnaires that were used consisted of a number of pre-set questions. It had Ten (10)

closed ended questions. These questions will provide the statistics which will be represented by

the use of pie charts and graphs.

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 Presentation of Data

All questionnaires were collected the information received are illustrated below through the use

of charts, graphs and tables.

Question 1

What is your gender?

Figure 1.The pie chart above shows the gender of the individuals that made up the sample there

were 16 males (40%) and twenty-four females (60%)

Question 2

What age group do you belong to?

Table 1

Years Percentages

35-45 15%

46-55 30%

56-65 20%

66-75 35%

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Table one shows the various age groups of the respondents fifteen percent were between the ages

of 35-45 years while thirty five percent are between the ages of 46-55 years, twenty percent

accounted for individuals between 56-65 years and the remaining thirty percent were between

the age group 66-75 years.

Question 3

How long have you been a resident of Haiti?

Figure 2 shows the number of year’s respondents has being residing in Haiti. 30% of the

respondents are residents between 31-40 years, 25% between the years 21-30, 20% between 1-10

years and 15% between 11-20 years and 10% for 41 years respectively.

Question 4

Do you suffer from AIDS/HIV?

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 Response Percentage

Yes 80%

No 20%

Table 2

The table showed that eighty percent of the respondents suffer from diabetes while the remaining

twenty percent don’t.

Question 5

If yes, how often do you take medication?

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Figure 3 indicates that the majority of the respondents take medication for AIDS/HIV every day
per week. This was indicated by 55% while 20% never take medication for AIDS/HIV. Four of
the respondents take medication 4-6 days per week while the other 15% take medication 1-3
days per week.
Question 6
Which of the following chronic disease do you suffer from?

Figure 4 indicates that 30% of the respondents suffer from hypertension, 25% obesity, 15%
cancer and stoke while 5% suffer from no chronic disease.
Question 7
Table 3
What level were you diagnosed with?

Response Percentage

Type 1 10%

Type 2 90%

According to the table above majority of the respondents were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
this was represented by 90% while 10% represent with type 1.

Question 8
What are the lifestyles and medical practices you think could help to prevent AIDS/HIV?
Used a Clean 35%

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needle.
Used a Condom 25%

Consider Male 20%

Figure 5. shows that 35% Used a clean needle whenever time using one, 25% People say they
used a condom, whenever time involved in sexual intercourse, 20% said Doing male circumsion
is helpful, 5% said using drug Truvada is also helpful.

Question 9
Do you believe that AIDs/HIV is as a result of unhealthy lifestyle practices?

Figure 7 shows the reponse of the individuals 60% said no while 30% said no and the
remainding 10% said they were not sure.

Question 10
Which of the following conditions do you believe are the main result of AIDs/HIV?

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 Responses Percentages

Unprotected Sex 30%

Sharing Needles 20%

Blood Transfer 25%

Breast Feeding 15%

Vaginal Fluid 10%

Table 4
The above table illustrates the conditions the respondents believe is the main result of AIDs/HIV
30% said Unprotected Sex, 25% Blood Transfer, 20%, Sharing Needles 15% and10% Vaginal
Fluid.
Question 11
What are some of the symptoms of Aids/HIV encounter before diagnosed?

Fever 20%
rash 30%
Night Sweat 5%
Sore Throat 25%

Figure 9
The bar graph shows that 30% of the respondents says that one of the symptoms of AIDs/HIV is
unexplained Fever, 25% Sore Throat, 20% says that Fver is one of the signs 5% Night Sweat.

Question 13
To which social class is AID/HIV most prevalent?

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Figure 10
The line graph above shows that AIDs?HIV is more prevalent among individuals of the lower
class this was represnted by 60% while 30% middle class followed by 10% being of the upper
class.

Question 14
What are the most possible solutions in helping AIDS/HIV?

Figure 11
This graph illustrates the most possible solution in helping AIDs/HIV twenty percent (20%) said

to drink adequate water. Fifteen percent (15%) of the respondents said exercise regularly twenty

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five percent says to avoid fatty and starchy foods and thirty percent says to take medication as

required while the next ten percent (10%) says learn about treatment options.

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

According to the data collected 60% of the respondents were female and 40% were male this

information was obtained from figure one. Table 1 indicates that 35% of the respondents were

between the ages of 66-75 the age group with the lowest percentage was 35-45 years this was

represented by 15%.

Most of the residence of Haiti has been living there for 31-40 years (30%) this was followed by

21-30 years. Table 2 revealed that 80% of the respondents suffer from Aids/HIV. Based on

question five 55% of the respondents take prescribed medication 7 days a week while 15% take

the medication 1-3 days per week 10% take the medication 4-6 days per week and while the

remaining twenty percent do not take medication.

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A number of respondents suffer not only from Aids/HIV but also other chronic diseases figure

four shows that 30% of the respondents suffer from hypertension, 25% obesity, 15% represented

both cancer and stroke while only 5% had no chronic illnesses.

Table three reveals that 90% of the respondents were diagnosed with type 2 HIV. The

respondents had a number of views as it related to the lifestyles and medical practices that could

help in the prevention of HIV 35% Used a cleaned 25% said used a condom 5% said consider

drug Travada.

Majority of the respondents believe that unhealthy lifestyle practices result in the diabetes figure

7 illustrated that 60% agreed, 30% opposed and 10% stated that they were not sure.

According to table four 30% of the respondents believe that lower- extremity amputations are the

main result of Aids/HIV 25% says heart attack, 20% said high blood pressure, kidney failure

10% and 15% said blindness.

Figure eight indicated that 55% of the respondents believed that genetical susceptibility was the

main cause of diabetes.

Some of the symptoms Aids/HIV encountered were revealed in figure nine they include; (30%)

Unexpected Fever, 10% 20%, Sore Throat 5% Night Sweat

It was observed that Aids/HIV is more prevalent among individuals of a lower class as stated in

figure ten.

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 Findings

There are a lot of factors that contribute to diabetes some of those factors and their percentages

will be stated.

 The prevalence of Aids/HIV is very high in Haiti. This linked to table 2 which illustrated

that the majority of the respondents (80%) suffer from diabetes while 20% of the

respondents do not.

 The relationship between diabetes and chronic diseases was found, Figure 4 shows 30%

of the respondents have hypertension, 25% obesity, 15% cancer and stroke and 5% had

no chronic diseases.

 In addition to the causes and consequences of Aids/HIV, the effects were revealed. The

effects came in the form of Kidney failure, High Blood Pressure, Heart Attack, Blindness

and Lower-extremity amputation.

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  The following solutions were stated by the respondents as it related to helping

Aids/HIV:Uesd a clean needle, used clean needles, Do a male Circumspection, and

Consider Drug Truvada .

 There are numerous factors that contribute to Aids/HIV some of those factors and their

percentage stated by the respondent’s include genetically susceptibility 55% obesity and

inactivity 30% high- density lipoprotein 5% and abnormal glucose production by liver

10%

Discussion of Findings

About 60 to 70 percent of people with Aids/HIV have mild to severe forms of AIDs-related

nerve damage, which can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, is the most frequent cause of

non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15 to 40 times greater for

a person with HIV. Each year, 82,000 people lose their lives toAids. (Diabetes Association 2011)

This is also a problem within Jamaica, The Gleaner published an article in 2009 entitled

“Aids/HIV is the second leading cause of loss of limbs in the region” in which it was revealed

that apart from motor vehicle accidents diabetes was the second reason for amputations.

The main cause of Aids/HIV is having unprotective sex, sharing needles and Breast feeding. As

a result of these practices not only did it result in individuals becoming victims but they also

developed other health conditions such as hypertension, obesity, cancer, kidney failure and heart

disease.

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Majority of the respondents were between the age group 66- 75, considering that most of these

respondents are now retired and not as strong as they once were they have to depend on family

members to assist both financially and physically which sometimes maybe of a challenge.

Most of the respondents adhere to the guidelines given by their doctors as it relate to taking their

medication however some do not, thus resulting in them having a lot more complications.

Aids/HIV is more prevalent among persons of a lower class. This might be as a result of their

unhealthy eating and poor lifestyle practices.

Lifestyle practices is one factor that may cause HIV however it is not necessarily the main factor

due to the study it was revealed that it was genetically susceptibility.

Conclusion
Firstly, based on the research that has been carried out it was evident that HIV is linked to

chronic diseases and is currently a major problem in the country of Haiti.

Secondly, it is better to try every means of preventing the illness more than having to worry

about finding a cure. The risk of being diagnosed with chronic diseases such as HIVcan is

reduced by practicing a healthy lifestyle. This might be accomplished by using a condom when

having sex and don’t share needles.

Thirdly the secret to conquering Aids/HIV is having a protected sex and following the

instructions given by doctors and health care personnel’s.

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 Recommendation and Implication Strategies

On the basis of findings and conclusions taken from the study, the researcher compelled to make

the following recommendations:

 The ministry of health should find creative ways of informing the public on seriousness

of these issues.

 Organized health workshops with special session in which health professionals such as

doctors, nutritionist and dietician will inform/educate the public about the chronic

diseases and the ways in which to treat and prevent them.

 Establish community health groups in which they educate individuals on the importance

of living and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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 Limitations

 The study was confined to one location (geographical area).

 Respondents had different understanding of the same questions.

 There was no surety that the questionnaire was filled out by those whom they were given

to.

 The study gathered information only from individuals between the ages of thirty five to

seventy.

 The degree of the research was somewhat restricted due to the lack of funds.

 A few of the questionnaires were received late thus causing the study to finish a bit later

than the researcher expected.

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 Bibliography

Morrison. E. (March 2009) Diabetes- “Diabetes is the second leading cause of loss of limbs in

the region”, The Jamaica Gleaner Company.

Holborn, H.a (2000) Sociology Theme and Perspectives, Haper Collins Publishers Limited

OD, Morrison Errol Professor (September 21, 1915) The Library Mona Campus

Ferguson TS. Tullock- Reid MK Wilks RS. (2010 June) West Indian Medical Journal

UWI Today (January 2011) Children facing adult Type Diabetes, The University of the West

Indies

www.pamf.org/diabetes/whatis/ (2011) Diabetes Association

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 Questionnaires

Demographic Data

1. What gender are you?

Male Female

2. What age group do you belong to?

35-45 years 46-55 years 56-65 years 66-75 years

3. How long have you being a resident of Bay Road?

1-10 years 11-20 years 21-30 years 31-40 years 41years and over

Diabetic Information

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 4. Do you suffer from diabetes?

Yes No

5. How often do you take medication?

Never 1-3 days per week 4-6 days per week 7 days per week

6. What type of diabetes were you diagnosed with?

Type 1 Type 2

7. Which of the following chronic diseases do you suffer from?

Hypertension Obesity Cancer Cardiovascular disease others

Please specify ____________________

8. What are the lifestyles and medical practices you think could help to prevent diabetes?

Please specify _____________________

9. Do you believe diabetes is as a result of unhealthy lifestyle practices?

Yes No not sure

10. Which of the following conditions do you believe are the main result of diabetes?

Kidney failure

High Blood pressure

Heart attack

Blindness

Lower-extremity amputation

11. Which of the following is the main contributor of diabetes?

Genetical susceptibility

Obesity and Physical Inactivity

High- density lipoprotein

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 Abnormal glucose production by the liver

12. What are some of the symptoms diabetics encounter before diagnosed?

Unexplained weight loss

Blurred vision

Tingling in hands and feet

Frequent infection

Fatigue

Poor wound healing

13. To which social class are diabetics most prevalent?

Upper Class Middle Class Lower Class

14. What are the most possible solutions in helping diabetics?

Please specify______________________

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