Essay Sample on HIV/AIDS: Brazil & India vs. U.S., Ignorance vs. Education

There are vast differences between the Brazil and India when compared to the US, which explains why HIV/AIDS is more limited in America. The two former countries live according to the code ‘ignorance is bliss.’ The mentality starves them of any valuable information pertaining the use of condoms, safe sex and HIV/AIDS, which makes citizens of America more educated and have higher standards of awareness about the same issues. The Brazil men lead a machismo-lifestyle which subjugates their women to some sort of pressure, which is not the case in the US (CASE 4-5, n.d). Women in America, therefore, have the privilege of requesting their sexual counterparts to use condoms without fear of financial extrication of physical harm. When comparing India and the US, citizens in the latter country can openly discuss topics of sexual intercourse and HIV/AIDS without worries of discrimination or judgment as opposed to the former. Indians perceive such topics as only viable to discuss in barbershop to avoid embarrassment.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Additionally, the US has more awareness in comparison to both India and Brazil. The Americans can, therefore, introduce learning initiatives that educate their children on safe sex and HIV/AIDS even in schools. On the other hand, Brazilians and Indians lead a more conservative and reserved lifestyle regarding the same context, which influences limited knowledge on the matters concerning HIV/AIDS, use of condom, and safe sex (CASE 4-5, n.d). Examples include the common perception in India that HIV/AIDS is a western disease. Brazil also have 85% of men and 80% of women also have the perception that they are safe from HIV/AIDS.

One factor that inhibits some of the intervention measures for America that are adopted in Brazil and India is cultural difference. The latter countries distribute condoms for free which improves the practice of safe sex, but would not yield effective result in the US. The influence of the Roman Catholic and the price of condoms influence Brazilians not to use birth control and condoms. The reserved lifestyle in India makes her people reluctant to purchase condoms at drugstores. In the US people have more fear of labeling and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, which makes them more careful (CASE 4-5, n.d). Additionally, Americans enjoy much cheaper prices of condoms, and are open-minded about importance of condoms, safe sex, and HIV/AIDS.

There are other interventions that have value even in the US. Indians, for example have instituted sexual health educations in schools. America has similar programs in its high schools that focus on abstinence and awareness. The Brazilians encourage research and prevention, and voluntary action against HIV/AIDS. The US has federal departments that fund programs for research, prevention and potential treatments of HIV/AIDS.

Campaigns about the prevention of AIDS in universities and schools represent one way in which the London International Group. Such an intervention would involve having representatives in such institutions that educate the student population on AIDS (CASE 4-5, n.d). An additional tactic would be the making of videos that increase awareness of life after infection with HIV. All interventions would propel the conversation to the seriousness of the Aids problem.

The two videos in the section seek to exploit the current social issues to propagate awareness of the Durex brand. The tactic is somewhat different from iterations from the past which paid significant attention to improvements and quality of the product. The shift in strategy influences success in attracting attention of potential consumers (Durex Earth Hour, 2014). The structure of the adverts is such that a cell phone can access it which increases coverage. Moreover, an additional tactic is giving significance to a controversial issue as a social problem, thus dictating the interest of the audience. A critical success factor for the two videos is content manufacturing as opposed to hard selling (Durex, 2015). Furthermore, the adverts also do not show the product, which allows for the imagination of the audience to favor the brand.

The same approach in the two videos would record successes even in the Indian and Brazilian markets. The tactic involves highlighting a common issue that makes up conversation for most people in the country and tying the topic to the brand. The Indian and Brazilian markets have a more reserved lifestyle and would not respond favorably to straightforward adverts that focus on improvement, function or quality (CASE 4-5, n.d). Moreover, excluding the image of the product in the advertisement also preserves the culture of the two countries while encouraging adoption of the product. Content manufacturing could focus on matters particular to each nation that has significant public concern, and tactfully integrate the issue such that it aligns with both the brand and the product. In the case of Brazil, significant tact should focus on promoting awareness and practice of safe sex, while providing channels to limit the extent of domestic violence owing to the machismo lifestyle. Strategic marketing in India should educate its citizens on the demerits of ignorance and promote educative programs and awareness. The brand could use such platforms to signify the importance of condoms, and influence the perception of the brand by highlighting significant similarities of the parties. Furthermore, such a strategy could possibly alter the perception and attitudes of people towards the product and the brand.

References

CASE 4-5. (n.d.). AIDS, Condoms, and Carnival.

Durex Earth Hour. (2014, March 14). Durex #TurnOffToTurnOn - OFFICIAL. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6VPUTtuKuk

Durex. (2015, March 12). Durex - #Connect - Official. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O925jNVmpOQ