Education equals prevention

Keeping in mind that World AIDS Day is recognized every year on Dec. 1, Dr. James Ochwa-Echel presented what is called Culturally Competent HIV/AIDS Prevention Education on Friday, Nov. 30, where he covered how the virus originated, how it spreads and methods of protection.

Ochwa-Echel provided an expanded history of the virus including how it was first discovered in 1981 in the United States among homosexual men. He also described two versions of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. The former is the more lethal of the two and is more common around the world whereas the latter is not as lethal (meaning one who contracts it has a longer life span than with HIV-1) and mostly confined to West Africa.

"If a person is not treated [with ARVs therapy], 80 percent of the people live up to 11 years," he said of HIV-1, however HIV-2 is slightly longer.

Ochwa-Echel first came to EWU in 2006 on a two-year contract to focus on the diversity initiatives set forth by the university. Apart from administrative duties that include setting up faculty workshops, he also teaches one course in HIV/AIDS and Development in Africa.

He said he's also looking to design some online courses.

As a native of Uganda, Ochwa-Echel first came to the United States to attend Boston University on a scholarship in 1991. He received a Master's in International Studies there to add to his bachelor's degree in the same study from Schiller University in Germany. He later achieved a Ph.D. in Education and a Master's from Ohio University in International Development.

Despite age or perceived knowledge in a certain group of people like college students, Ochwa-Echel said that government leaders must play a role in spreading awareness and that education for this epidemic must be constantly exerted.

"We are talking about behavioral change so you need to keep on the message. It's not only a one-time deal," he said.

HIV, referred to as a "slow virus" by Ochwa-Echel, progresses through three stages of infection before potentially receiving an AIDS diagnosis.

The first stage, lasting a few weeks, is obviously less noticeable and usually won't consist of serious symptoms. In the second stage, illnesses will progress and the CD4 cell count will begin to deteriorate. The last stage includes full infection where the CD4 count is in a range of 200 to 350 (normal is between 500 to 1,600) effectively weakening the immune system. This will expose the body to what are called opportunistic diseases.

"It's not the AIDS itself that kills the person," Ochwa-Echel said, "it's the opportunistic diseases that take advantage of the weak immune system."

Ochwa-Echel warned that a six-month period should take place before testing for HIV after "risky" or transmissible events have occurred. Testing anytime before six months will most likely result in failed detection of the virus.

Possible transmissions will include any exchange of blood, needle and syringe sharing with intravenous drugs, contact with bodily fluids, unprotected sex and more. Ochwa-Echel also covered some co-factors that can add to the ease of infection. For example, the use of recreational drugs can greatly suppress the immune system. Also, he mentioned that entering in sexual relations with several partners can also increase risk.

"I talked about a lot of modes of infection. It's different, whereas here, the main mode is homosexuality. What we have [in Africa] is mostly exclusively heterosexual transmission," he said. He added that the use of drugs is much more prevalent in the United States than in Africa.

There's also something that Ochwa-Echel referred to as "vertical transmission," which occurs when the mother passes the virus onto her child through birth.

"Today, you have HIV-positive mothers giving birth to a child who is not HIV-positive because of the availability of Nevarapine treatment," he said.

Regardless of constant research, scientists have yet to yield a definite cure among several methods of therapy.

Ochwa-Echel can only promote awareness and proper protection through his educational concern for HIV/AIDS.

His last message in his presentation was to remind everyone of the "ABC" (Abstinence, Be faithful to your partner and use Condoms) method of prevention.

"In most minority communities there is no knowledge of HIV/AIDS," he said.

"For college students, don't be complacent because there is the presence of antiretroviral drugs; that is a therapy and not a treatment."

"The best thing is to practice ABC." According to a 2006 university press release, Ochwa-Echel is building a school in Uganda for girls to study science.

He said the progress for this project is at a standstill at the moment until he can travel back to his homeland with the proper funding.