Awareness Call Issued on World AIDS Day

1 December was declared "World AIDS Day" by the World Health Organization in 1988. Numerous events are organized worldwide to prevent disease, educate on transmission routes, and combat prejudice. At a seminar titled "Knowledge Saves Lives" organized in cooperation with Altınbaş University and Turkey Hospital, essential information about AIDS and HIV virus was discussed. The seminar was attended by Prof. Osman Nuri Uçan, Dean of Altınbaş University Faculty of Applied Sciences, Hayati Odabaşı, General Director of Turkey Hospital, and numerous academics and students. The seminar, moderated by Dr. Özgül Özkoç, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Chair of the Health Management Department at Altınbaş University, featured presentations by Assoc. Prof. Özlem Alıcı, Infectious Diseases Specialist, on AIDS prevention methods; Buse Baytın, Clinical Psychologist, on patients' psychological conditions; and Dr. Özgül Özkoç on the health economics dimension of AIDS.

1.5 million new AIDS cases identified annually

Assoc. Prof. Özlem Alıcı, Infectious Diseases Specialist, emphasized that AIDS is one of the world's most significant ongoing pandemics. According to UNAIDS data, she highlighted that 1.5 million new cases are identified annually, 680,000 people die from AIDS-related causes, and 20 percent of these are young people. Stressing the importance of raising youth awareness about HIV and AIDS, Assoc. Prof. Özlem Alıcı provided information on transmission routes and disease prevention.

"Not transmitted only through sexual contact"

Noting that AIDS is not solely transmitted sexually, she explained that HIV virus can be transmitted through mucous areas such as eyes, mouth, vagina and penis head, blood donations, deep open wounds, shared injections, inadequately sterilized manicure and pedicure equipment, and from HIV-infected mothers to babies during childbirth and breastfeeding. She noted that they recommend mothers with HIV risk not to breastfeed their babies.

Prejudices against HIV and AIDS virus must be eliminated

Assoc. Prof. Özlem Alıcı explained that prejudices about HIV virus and AIDS, unlike COVID-19, which are unstable in the external environment, must also be addressed. Accordingly, she stated that transmission through body fluids such as sweat, saliva, urine, and tears, sharing the same plate and fork, hugging and shaking hands does not occur under any circumstances.

Awareness saves lives

Noting that AIDS patients most often refuse to be tested because they fear social exclusion, Assoc. Prof. Özlem Alıcı stated that disease symptoms may include sore throat and fever, but sometimes show no signs. She expressed that individuals being aware of the risks their behaviors carry and undergoing testing would save lives. She emphasized that information confidentiality in test results and treatment processes is safeguarded by law, and no one other than the individual and doctor would learn of it. Referring to research by the HATAM Association showing that 77 percent of patients lead normal lives after treatment, Assoc. Prof. Özlem Alıcı recommended practicing safe sex with condoms, being aware, seeking treatment, and participating in the health system.

"Responsibility falls on families"

Clinical Psychologist Buse Baytın noted that AIDS patients experience a distressing and devastating process. She identified that they most often experience trauma, fear of job loss, guilt, panic attacks, and feelings of social exclusion. Noting that families bear great responsibility during this period, Buse Baytın stated, "The individual should not be permitted to isolate themselves within the family, and participation in social support groups should be encouraged." Dr. Özgül Özkoç drew attention to the serious economic dimension of the disease from health management and health economics perspectives. Citing 2010 data showing the lifetime treatment cost of AIDS at USD 379,668, she noted that patients under Turkey's General Health Insurance are treated free of charge.

Ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030 is planned

Dr. Özgül Özkoç stated that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include plans to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030, targeting a reduction of annual HIV infections and HIV-related deaths to below 500,000 by 2030, but the world is currently far from achieving these targets. Emphasizing that AIDS patients face not only treatment costs but also losses resulting from reduced productivity, Özkoç noted that in countries with lower universal health insurance coverage, patients face catastrophic expenses due to high costs, resulting in a cycle of poverty.