About Me
Work Cited:
Avert (2016, December 01). HIV and AIDS in India.
My name is Kellee Diaz, I am currently pursuing a degree in Biology at Florida International University. Over the course of my two years at FIU, I have had the pleasure of being a Leader and Supervisor for the Peer Led Team Learning Program, helping fellow peers understand topics in General Biology and upper division science courses. I have also had the opportunity to be a part of the Teaching Assistant Program with the Honor's College at FIU, which also serves as an additional resource for students on campus. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed being involved in programs that strive to help educate others, and over time I have learned that the most personal growth comes from stepping out of one's comfort zone.
When I was presented with the opportunity to participate in the Global Health Study Abroad Program India 2017, I knew that it would be an experience that I would want to have, to learn about health concerns such as HIV among pregnant women. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major health concern globally, but especially in India; 2.40 million individuals are estimated to be living with HIV in India, and 39% percent of these individuals are women.Infant and Prenatal Healthcare, are two major issues in India, especially in the southern rural areas of the country. There are cultural/social stigmas, as well as economic factors that prevent pregnant women and infants from receiving proper health care; across the globe, about 800 women die everyday from pregnancy related concerns, and Indian women account for 20% of these deaths. Lack of prenatal care has contributed to the epidemic of HIV in India, many of the pregnant women who are infected with HIV transmit the disease to their newborns through going through with vaginal birth, breastfeeding, and other bodily fluid contact.
Being from America, prenatal care is something I have always considered part of the experience of a woman's pregnancy, but in India this is not the case. As someone that has always enjoyed learning and helping others learn, I wish to gain insight on the psychological factors influences Atenatal and infant care. This research may potentially allow for a better understanding of the refrain from prenatal HIV screening and offer alternative measures of education/screening that respect both the patients' culture and autonomy.
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