I-Search+by+Daniel

//by Daniel Corridan//
 * How HIV and AIDS affect Average People in Africa**


 * Part I--What I already know about my topic**

HIV and AIDS are two pandemics. The two diseases are sweeping across the globe infecting many. These diseases can end up being detrimental, but that is only if you do not receive proper treatment. A lot of people are infected by HIV and AIDS, especially in places such as Africa, more specifically South Africa. HIV and AIDS are spread through risky behaviors, and you can easily avoid getting these diseases. Many people die each year because of HIV and AIDS, especially in Africa. In Africa, hospitals are rare and few civilians receive medical care. Some people have HIV or AIDS and do not even know it. Others disregard the fact, thinking it will have no effect on them. HIV and AIDS are two diseases that scientists have not yet found the cure for. These are two very dangerous diseases.


 * Part II--What I Want to Find Out**

About how many people currently have HIV or AIDS? How long does the average person live with HIV or AIDS? How close are scientists to finding a cure to HIV and AIDS? Where is HIV and AIDS popular? Where did HIV and AIDS start? How can we avoid the transmission of HIV and AIDS? About how many people has HIV and AIDS killed? Why don't governments educate their citizens more about the pandemic which only recently came about: HIV and AIDS?


 * Part III--The Search**

When we were first assigned our "I-Searches", I had no clue as to what my topic was going to be. I thought and thought and thought, but came up with nothing. I was stumped... "What would I do?" I often though. Later that day while opening my front door, I noticed one of those flyers that people stick on your door. I slowly read the flyer ... "HIV and AIDS Walk" ... and started to think. I suddenly realized what my project was going to be about. It was going to be about HIV and AIDS. Still, I though, It needed to be in a specific country where it occurred. I didn't know what country or reigon to pick. So, I got on my computer and did some research and I finally had my topic selected. I was going to do my "I-Search" on HIV and AIDS in Africa, and how they affect peoples lives. To begin my research, I started thinking about my topic which is HIV and AIDS in Africa, and how they affects regular people's lives. I started thinking about the search terms that I would use when researching information on my topic over the internet. I came up with the search terms "HIV and AIDS in Africa", "AIDS", "HIV", "HIV in Africa", "AIDS in Africa" and "The Affect of HIV and AIDS on Peoples Lives". These search terms would help me to come up with accurate and precise results that would provide me with the best and most relevant information on my topic. These search terms eventually helped me to find 3 articles that helped me with my research. I evaluated these Websites to make sure that they were reliable Websites, because I wanted accurate information. I found out a lot of information from these websites that I previously did not know. For example, did you know that in sub-Saharan Africa, people with HIV, AIDS or related illnesses occupy more than half of hospital beds? This goes to show us that HIV and AIDS are two very serious diseases that affect many peoples lives in Africa. After finding the 3 articles, It was time for me to find a book on my topic. I visited the library in an attempt to find a book on my topic. I looked in the Non-Fiction section at the Library, because this is where I expected a book on my topic to be. I was hoping to find a good, accurate book on my topic. This I found, and there were many relevant books on my topic. After skimming through about 4 different books, all on the same topic, I chose the one that I thought would help me the best. This book contained valuable information, and it seemed extremely relevant to the topic which I was researching. The book that I chose to help me with my research was "The Invisible Cure: Why We Are Losing the Fight Against AIDS in Africa". Although I did not read the whole book, I read some of it, and I thought it to be very interesting. This book taught me about the serious issue of HIV and AIDS in Africa, and it was horrifying to read some of the things in this book. The facts that this book provided me with were really hard to believe and out of this world, but I know that they are true. It is really sickening to think about these poor people in Africa who have HIV or AIDS and are living in such bad conditions with little help. This book really inspired me to learn more about my topic, because it interested me a lot. I continue to play the game Ayiti: The Cost of Life. This game gives me insightful opinions on serious issues throughout the world and shows me how a game can affect a person. This game caused many emotions throughout my class. Many people in my class were horrified by the conditions that we saw that the people in Haiti faced. This was because the people in Haiti have to face certain things that we do not. This goes to show us that something fun that we can enjoy, like a game, can provide us with a different outlook on certain issues throughout the world, and it can cause us to feel a certain way. I've notice that I've began feeling sorry for the people in Africa with HIV and AIDS. I've learned so much about them and their lifestyles while they have HIV or AIDS. It really makes me feel sorry for them, and I can't help myself in doing so. It sickens me how they can hardly even receive help for their condition. How come in one country like the U.S., everyone can be treated for their HIV and AIDS, but in Africa, it is hard for many to get treated? I wonder if its the people or the hospitals. Maybe the people just disregard the fact that they have HIV or AIDS. Maybe, they think it will have no affect upon them? I find this silly. If you have a detrimental disease, wouldn't you want to receive treatment for it? Maybe it's just me ... but I would want to go the safe way, and get treated for my condition. The last thing I needed to do for my I-Search was to interview an expert. As soon as I heard this, I started to think. Did I know any experts? At first, I thought "No". Then, while at a neighbors birthday party, I realized I did. While at the party, I met one of my friend's moms. Her name was Karen, and I had met her before, I just didn't know what her occupation was. After talking to her, it turns out that she studied HIV and AIDS in College, and she was an expert on the topic. She quickly became the voice of reason in my project, because she provided me with different opinions. She caused me to think about my topic in different ways than i previously had. This was significant, because she caused me to think about my topic in new, exciting ways. I am glad to have worked with Karen, because she did, indeed, teach me a lot. This "I-Search" has been very fun for me. It has taught me a lot about my topic, yet, through a fun, interactive sort of way. It was a really fun experience to have had. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to do such, and I am glad to have chose the topic to research which I chose. Also, now i have a 'new skill under my belt'. I now know how to start, work on, and complete an "I-Search". Maybe, If I'm lucky, I'll have the opportunity to work on another "I-Search" sometime in the near future, because I am looking forward to researching another topic.


 * Part IV--What I Learned**

Over the course of this "I-Search", I have learned many things about both my topic and I. I have learned how hard life is for people in Africa who have HIV or AIDS. Every day is another struggle for people in Africa with HIV and AIDS. Many become seriously ill and end up in the hospital. This is significant because HIV and AIDS are responsible for many deaths and illnesses of many. Also while completing this "I-Search", I have learned a lot about myself. I have realized many things, one of which is that I can do anything if I try hard. I have also realized that I often find myself feeling sorry for people who are in worse situations than myself. I find myself feeling sorry for those people in Africa with HIV or AIDS, and I wish that somehow, I could help. As an investigator, I have realized that there are many things that some people have no control over. Such things would include making people go to a hospital for HIV or AIDS. It is their decision, so no one else has any control over that. Also, I have noticed that the process for creating an "I-Search" is simple, yet different people interpret it different ways.


 * Works Cited**

HIV and AIDS in Africa, Statistics, Origin, and the Three Tests "HIV and AIDS in Africa, Statistics, Origin, and the Three Tests." Rebirth Africa Life on the Continent. Rebirth, 2000. Web. 21 Apr 2010. . The impact of HIV & Aids on Africa "The impact of HIV & AIDS on Africa." Avert. Avert, 18 April 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. . The History of HIV/AIDS in Africa "The History of HIV/AIDS in Africa." Avert. Avert, 20 April 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .