My faculty mentor’s name is Dr. Rachel Robinson. I met with her for about 30 minutes on Wednesday, September 5. As I mentioned previously, I was interested in investigating a correlation between increased prevalence rates of HIV in climate-change-impacted areas. I introduced my research interests to her, and we essentially discussed the probability of me being able to complete a research project on HIV and climate change given the resources at my disposal. We both agreed that given my location, it would be more interesting and beneficial to investigate a topic in the city of Washington.
She proposed that I perform interviews in D.C. rather than use already-existing data from other countries/states. Therefore, I decided to change my research interest. I’d like to further understand how schooling can impact an adolescent girl’s likelihood of contracting HIV. It is a well-established notion that young girls are at high risk for contracting HIV in their life time. Specifically, young women in the southern Africa region. In fact, adolescents in this region account for the greatest percentage of AIDS-related deaths (Govender, K., Masebo, W. G. B., Nyamaruze, P., Cowden, R. G., Schunter, B. T., & Bains, A., 2018).
However, since meeting with Dr. Robinson, a previous professor of mine, Dr. Yamanis (and also a mentor figure) suggested I analyze the data that she is currently collecting about adolescent girls in Tanzania. I will be reviewing the survey/interview questions this week, and determining if I’d like to utilize this data source. This would give me the opportunity to use current and relevant data, perfect for my research interests.
I’m also interested in looking into the possibility of doing a comparative case study of adolescent girls in Tanzania and adolescent girls in D.C.. However, I’m not entirely sure what this would entail, as I’d have to create survey questions, and recruit participants. Also, because the HIV epidemic in D.C. is not generalized like it is in Tanzania, the disease likely doesn’t impact young girls like it does to those in Tanzania. I need to read about HIV in D.C. and how public education may influence their likelihood of contracting HIV.
Govender, K., Masebo, W. G. B., Nyamaruze, P., Cowden, R. G., Schunter, B. T., & Bains, A. (2018). HIV Prevention in Adolescents and Young People in the Eastern and Southern African Region: A Review of Key Challenges Impeding Actions for an Effective Response. The Open AIDS Journal, 12, 53–67. http://doi.org/10.2174/1874613601812010053
