AIDS also is spreading among the urban young population. The government is trying to education the public about safe sex, but the population's reluctance to follow the directives hasn't helped much. Most local Tigreans are accustomed to modern medicine. Majority of them come to Harborview for medical care. Most patients expect to receive medications for every illness, failure to give prescribed medicine will be considered by some patients as if the doctor didn't know the illness and will result in not patient coming again to the same doctor.
Some patients are nervous about giving blood for any type of test.
There is an assumption that blood is taken from them for other purposes, other than serving them. Blood transfusion is alien to most Tigreans. It could create anxiety and fear. Explaining the condition that warranted blood transfusion to the patients should diminish the patients anxiety if not totally eliminate it. Women are reluctant to discuss gynecologic issues with male doctors, nurses on their first visit.