Pre-Departure Research Critique:
While in India the research that I will be conducting focuses specifically on sexually transmitted diseases (STD)/sexually transmitted infections(STI) and how it can potentially change the human bodies immunology, reproductive system and mental state. During this study I plan to narrow the research to women and put together potential methods to aid in the reduction or prevention of such harmful sicknesses.
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What is already known about the immune system is that its main functions are to protect your body from foreign invaders including parasites, bacteria and viruses.
There are two cells that aid in performing this function which are known to be thymus (T-Cells) and bursa-derived (B-cells). Without the T-cell the body would not be able to recognize the invader or in some cases kill the virus infected cell directly. Alongside T-cells assist B-cells with the production of antibodies that circulate and bind to antigens stopping the intruder in its tracts before any more harm is done. If anything were to happen to these organs like obtaining STD’s or STI’s the production of T and B cells could result in the body inducing in infectious diseases.
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Sexually transmitted diseases and infections have played a crucial part on how women reproductive system performs. For the genital system to effectively function interruptions that affect the sex organs must be detected and treated as
soon as possible. Specifically, the immunodeficiency virus (HIV), urinary tract infection(UTI) and chlamydia trachomatis are known interruptions that cause internal destruction in pregnant woman along with continuing and presenting effects to their offspring. Education in how to seek for symptoms, treatment, and knowing the other risk factors that may occur can reduce the amount of unprotected sexual contact and children who are forced to suffer from these disease and infections.
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During my time in India gaining the knowledge for potential risk factors of STD’s/STI’s in immunology, reproductive system, and its psychological affects I will have to interact with women who carry these infections. However, certain steps must be taken to acquire this information. Interviewing women who have previously suffered from these diseases or infections, newly introduced women and pregnant women will have to answer a series of questions. For example, what would happen to an STD/STI that goes undetected (immunology), can a pregnant woman pass on a sexually transmitted disease (STD) to her baby (reproductive system) and how does your health affect your sexual relationships (psychological). With knowing how Indian women respond to these questions I can distinguish their education and stance on prevention matters.
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This topic is of interest to me because I am interested in how STD/STI affects a women’s immune system, reproductive state and mental health. Approaching graduate school, this research and experience can push me to assist women who are victims of sexually transmitted diseases psychologically but also broaden my resources with basic knowledge of these diseases and how every woman can seek for help, including women who are expecting.Many concerns arise when a women’s ability to fight of infection, reproduce and function in their families lives with the proper psychological state are endangered. Many women may be ashamed of their conditions or afraid of exposing themselves to their partner because of religious issues or feeling inferior to seek for help. I believe that some women will not be completely honest to my surveys due to language barriers, personal preference or lack of hope for aid.
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References:
Ireland, K. A. (n.d.). Immunity and Lymphatic System . In K. A. Ireland, Visualizing Human Biology (pp. 226-252). Baskerville : Kaye Pace .