Confronting AIDS ( GS-340 )
Instructor: Jim Zians, Ph.D.
E-mail james.zians@mail.sdsu.edu
Syllabus –FALL 2011
Office Hours: After each class, and by appointment
Objectives:
After mastering the course work students will have an understanding of the following:
1. History of HIV and AIDS that began in 1981.
a. Students will learn the events related to the onset of the HIV/AID epidemic in the
United States, and how this epidemic transitioned into a worldwide pandemic.
b. Students will gain an understanding of how the current AIDS pandemic related to other
epidemics faced by mankind through history.
2. Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS.
a. Students will gain an understanding of HIV/AIDS epidemiology in the U.S.
b. Students will learn to read and interpret epidemiological charts and graphs related to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic.
c. Students will compare and contrast current epidemiological trends in the U.S. with the
history of HIV/AIDS since 1981.
d. Students will learn about the epidemiology regarding San Diego County and California.
e. Students will also learn about etiological trends worldwide with a particular focus on
Third World
3. Biology of HIV and how it is communicable.
a. Students will learn about the human immune system and basic concepts of cellular
biology related to HIV infection.
b. Student will learn about viruses and retroviruses and how they act as parasites with the
host organism
c. Student will gain an introductory understanding of human genetics in the context of the
lifecycle of the HIV virus. The role of DNA and RNA in HIV replication will be
understood.
d. Students will learn how HIV is spread from person to person and the medical
challenges of dealing with a blood-to-blood, sexually transmitted, mother-to-child
transmitted communicable disease.
4. Health Promotion & HIV Prevention.
a. Students will be presented with a brief history of health promotion.
b. Social science models of behavior change theory will be introduced and students will
learn predictor variables that act as constructs associated with behavior change.
c. Practical applications to predictors of change will be presented to students for problem
solving. Clinical situations regarding sexual health issues will be discussed.
d. Students will understand some of the cultural, religious, political and value-laden
conflicts associated with health promotion and HIV prevention, particularly the issues
around abstinence, harm reduction and safer sex/condom skill efficacy.
e. Student will learn the value of a client-centered, story-telling approach to HIV
prevention intervention/curriculum integrated with social science models of behavior
change theory.
5. The Worldwide AIDS Pandemic
a. Students will learn about the spread of AIDS in the world outside the post-industrial
nations. Focus will include AIDS in Africa, India, South America, Russia, China
and Southeast Asia.
b. Students will learn about the challenges of the AIDS pandemic in the Third World
and barriers to progress.
c. Students will learn about progress regarding legal agreements with the
pharmaceutical industry to allow lower cost generic drugs in parts of the Third
World. Other problem-solving ideas will be introduced.
6. HIV Treatment and Care
a. An overview of anti-retroviral drugs will be explained to students, and they will learn
the function of the drugs, adherence requirements and related side effects. Some of the
newest classes of drugs will be discussed.
b. Students will understand issues of comorbidity regarding mental health conditions that
may co-occur with HIV/AIDS and they will learn of other related psycho-social effects
of having HIV/AIDS.
c. An overview of death & dying issues will be reviewed and contrasted to current trends
attempting to make HIV/AIDS a chronic illness that can be treated. Third World
issues related to treatment and care will be discussed.
7. Course Review and Summary.
a. Course summary and overview will be presented and the students will receive a study
guide to help them prepare for the final exam.
b. Students will have the option of attending a study session held outside of class, and led
by the instructor, to help prepare for the final exam.
COURSE GUIDELINE:
Aug 29
Course Introduction
Ice Breaker…Topic: “Talking about SEX, DRUGS & Other UNMENTIONABLES”
Introduction to History of HIV/AIDS
Introduction to ways to market a public health message: Public is a consumer via social
marketing.
Happy Labor Day--- No Class
Sept 12
Finding the causal agent of AIDS, History, Politics & Public Health
The Cause of HIV: Myths, Mysteries and Public Health Problem-Solving
Public Issues- AIDS Stigma--Moralist vs. Pragmatic; Punitive vs. Compassionate
Film Clip: And the Band Played On
Reading; Stine (2011) Introduction & Chapters 1 & 2
Sept 19
AIDS & Society: Knowledge, Attitudes & Behavior
Rigid Beliefs, Religious Intolerance--Barriers to HIV Prevention
Health Promotion: Effective HIV Prevention
How to Change Behavior (Predictors of Change)
 Social Norms
 Attitudes/Beliefs & Condom Skills
 Social Skill Efficacy & Communication Skills
 Motivation Enhancement
 Social Support & Social Influences
 Self-Regulation-Self-Monitoring Skills
“Target Populations treated as Consumers” How the professionals do it…from
pamphlets to posters…from billboards to TV Public Service Announcements…
Reading: Stine (2011) Chapter 14
Sept 26
Youth & Sex vs. AIDS & Society
Review Youth Issues—prepare for In Class Theatre
In Class Theatre: “Community Planning of Safer Sex Curricula for your local schools.”
(You are the actors & your classmates are your critics)
Reading: Stine (2011) Chapter 12.
Oct 3
Epidemiology & Intro to Biology of the virus
In Class---AIDS Epidemiology—San Diego County
New wave of HIV & changing faces of high risk target populations in the U.S.
Heterosexual women in U.S. are at risk, especially Women of Color
San Diego County: Latino Men & African American Men at Risk
Reading: Stine (2011) Chapters 8, 10
Oct 10
Biology of HIV virus & replication
Human Sexuality and CD4 Receptor Sites
Stages of HIV viral replication
Reading: Stine (2011) Chapters 3 & 5 (just read through…do not panic or memorize)
(Also) See STI slides on blackboard.
Oct 17
Biology (Part 2 of lecture)
HIV/AIDS Opportunistic Infections
STIs & HIV (Know a bit about other sexually transmitted infections)
Slides: Posted on Blackboard. (Specifically follow study guide to prepare for exam)
Reading: catch up Stine (2011) Chapters 3 & 5
Oct 24
MIDTERM
Nov 7
Review results of midterm. Begin discussing prevention. History of safer sex since
1981 to today’s prevention issues/concerns.
It all began with GRID—MSM-HIV prevention 1981 and 30 years later…
New Incident rates for Heterosexual women…what can be learned from the past? Do
heterosexuals practice safer sex?
Health Promotion & Marketing Public Health. Social Marketing & Community-Based
Interventions. Film clip: Jeffery
Nov 14
HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment
Medications and how they work.
Three main classes of Medications (Nukes, Non-Nukes and Protease Inhibitors)
Breakthroughs--New Medications since 2000. (new classes of drugs)
Reading: Stine (2011) Chapter 4, 6 & 7 (just read through…do not panic or memorize)
Nov 21
HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment
Opportunistic Infections- (Which are most common)
Issues of medication treatments: side effects, adherence, and drug resistance
HIV Testing – Issues of anonymity, names reporting, consent
HIV / AIDS Testing (Unique Issues) Confidentiality, Anonymous Testing, Names
Study Guide for Final will be on blackboard…
Reading: Chapter 13
THANKSGIVING Holiday—Enjoy & Be Safe
Nov 28
World Issues – Worldwide Epidemic (Part I)
Catastrophe in Africa & India. Where else? Why we are not sure…
An International Look at HIV/AIDS & Prevention
What are the barriers in the Third World:
A look at: China, India, Africa, Arab states, South America
Need for Structural & Environmental aspects to Public Health
World Issues World Economies of AIDS: Pharmaceuticals, Treatment and other things
that cost money. Reading: No new reading, Time to catch up on all reading.
Dec 5
Living With HIV as a chronic illness --Dual Diagnosis Issues/Mental Health & The
HIV closet.
Death & Dying. Grief & Loss / 1981 to 1997--A lost Generation
Myth: People no longer die of AIDS in the U.S. Not True!
Women & AIDS / Women & HIV –Special Issues
Final thoughts about all we have learned…REVIEW
Reading: No new reading,
_____________
FINAL Comprehensive EXAM (See SDSU exam schedule)
REQUIRED TEXT: AIDS Update 2011 by Gerald J. Stine. The used text (copyright 2009 or 2010 is acceptable
for this course).
STUDENT GRADES:
In Class Attendance
Midterm:
Final Exam:
Required!
45%
55%