...CONCEPTS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY Mfon Umanah Grand Canyon University: NRS 427V 11/29/2015 Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that affects mainly the lungs, it is caused by germs that travels through the blood stream and the lymph node, TB is contagious infectious disease and can spread from person to person through the air. It can also affect brain, the kidneys, or the spine. An infected person can die if prompt treatment is not initiated. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria named Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB can be in active or inactive form, if a person with active tuberculosis of the lungs coughs or sneezes, a person who is nearby can inhale the bacteria, a casual or briefed contact with an infectious person may not lead to an infection, It takes long hours of exposure to transmit the infection, unless the contacted person is ill or have a weakened immune system. TB spread easily in a crowded environment. TB is airborne disease and can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. Symptoms includes cough, with bloody sputum, chest pain especially with TB of the lungs, general symptoms of tuberculosis includes malady, weakness, fever, weight lost, excessive night sweat. Other symptoms depends on the part of the body that is affected. TB can be fatal without treatment, it typically affects your lungs, and can spread to other parts of the body through bloodstream, the following complications occurs with untreated infection; Spinal pain, a back pain and stiffness...
Words: 1042 - Pages: 5
...Influenza Introduction Influenza is among the most prevalent infectious airborne viral diseases that affect the respiratory system. According to the World Health Organization (2016), the infection majorly affects the throat, nose, and the bronchi, and on rare occasions, it may affect the lungs. Also commonly known as the flu, influenza infection is characterized by sneezing, itchy and running nose as well as throat inflammation. The initial signs and symptoms include fever with temperatures higher that 100F, soreness in the back, myalgia, legs and arm muscles, sweats and chills, frontal or retro-orbital headaches, tachycardia, red, watery eyes, and fatigue. Sometimes, a dry and persistent cough, nasal congestion and discharge occur (Clark & Lynch, 2011). Causes and Transmission The Influenza viruses are transmitted in the form of droplets through the atmosphere whenever an infected individual speaks, coughs or even sneezes. A healthy person can either get infected through directly inhaling these contaminated droplets or obtain the viruses from contaminated objects like computer keyboards, mouses or even the phones, and move them to the respiratory pathways like the nose and mouth. According to Clark & Lynch (2011), the infected individuals become contagious a day before the appearance of the first symptoms and continue in this state up to 5 to 10 days after. Studies have revealed that young children and individuals with compromised immune systems remain in the contagious...
Words: 1394 - Pages: 6
...Epidemiology Paper Epidemiology has become the method of choice for public health research. The patterns and trends and cause and effects of health affecting phenomena identified by epidemiology are instrumental in predicting risk factors e.g.; development of treatment strategies to prevent or contain diseases. Epidemiology estimates have changed over time related to changes in the definition and diagnosis of diseases. Epidemiology is practiced as a broad scientific discipline that addresses occurrences of diseases and distribution of health status of populations. Integration of casual concepts at the clinical, social and environmental levels will allow faculty to work to maintain an intellectual environment that will facilitate the integration of biological, social and, analytical approaches of epidemiology. This type of environment allows faculty and students to develop the knowledge to fully appreciate the complexities of biosocial system to understand, modify, and use this information to maximum potential. The focus of this paper will be on immigrant/migrants as a vulnerable population with emphasis on infectious disease a major health concern. The paper will define epidemiology and identify steps and methods of the type of epidemiology and examines relationships of illnesses and education related to infectious diseases. Epidemiology defined Stanhope & Lancaster (2008) defines epidemiology as “the study of the distribution and determination of health- related states...
Words: 1981 - Pages: 8
...Pol and Thomas (2013:2) maintains that health demography is not a new field, its roots can be traced back in a number of existing fields. Health demography with the efforts of John Graunt in 1962 to help analyze fundamental statistics and fashion of life table from burial records (Siegel, 2012:7). Pol and Thomas (2013:2) further maintains that the field of health demography represent to a greater extent a synthesis and reformulation of concepts and substantive data previously developed in a variety of other fields. Its main characteristics reflects “the convergence of traditional demography with aspects of biostatistics and epidemiology” (Pol & Thomas, 2013:2). Siegel (2012:7) asserts that demography resemble other disciplines specifically the demography of aging and medical sociology. Siegel (2012:7) further asserts that health demography and the epidemiology of aging share many areas, however these areas may place different emphasis. Siegel...
Words: 490 - Pages: 2
...Sound Research for Epidemiology Evidence Based Practice HA535 – Health Care Statistics Prof: Paulchris Okpala Kaplan University Rhonda Kilgore March 10, 2015 Epidemiology” is the study of disease in population and the evaluation of interventions at a population level, as a method of solving the problems of disease in individuals” (Rakel RE. Rakel DP, 2011). Before you can critique or analyze the research used in epidemiology you have to understand the key concepts in the field of epidemiology these concepts are case definition, web of causation and epidemiological triad of disease (Howlett, Rogo & Shelton, 2014). The first key concept is case definition which is the set of standards used to identify if a person has a particular disease, syndrome or health condition. The second key concept is web of causation which states that there is no singular factor that contributes to an individual meeting a specified criteria that qualifies them to develop a disease, syndrome or health condition. The third key factor is triad of disease is the way to identify the origins of disease, in other words what caused a person to get the disease, syndrome or health condition (Howlett et. all, 2014). When conducting research to use in evidence based practice in order for it to be considered solid research it should contain the seven applications used in clinical care which are; investigation of disease etiology, risk identification, identification of the syndrome and disease classification...
Words: 664 - Pages: 3
...Perspectives Historical keywords Epidemiology FROM: The Lancet Vol 365 April 2 2005 Derived from the Greek epidemia, “prevalence of disease”, and embedded in the 5th/4th century BC title of a Hippocratic treatise (Epidemics), epidemiology conceals more than its dictionary definition reveals—the branch of medical science concerned with the incidence and distribution of disease. For inherent to the concept of an “epidemic” is a model of population and a pathologisation of social space. The point of statistics is to command authority on the basis of numerical “facts”, yet the study of the statistics of disease is always shaped by larger political and ideological factors. Since the 19th century, the statistics of disease have served as powerful tools for state intervention, even if the practice of epidemiology was largely observational and aimed at solving disease outbreaks. Disciplinary status was conferred on epidemiology when it became attached to bacteriology, which shifted the study of disease statistics away from environmental factors to an emphasis on monocausal vectors. Further redefinition came through developments in biometrics, pioneered in the UK by Francis Galton (1822–1911) and Karl Pearson (1857–1936) and made acceptable to the medical profession through the efforts of Major Greenwood (1880–1949), the first epidemiologist in the UK to hold an academic appointment. In the 1920s, epidemiology underwent another metamorphosis. For epidemics...
Words: 391 - Pages: 2
...OVERVIEW OF VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY The veterinary profession faces many challenges …… Rapid movement of disease Climate change Today’s challenges require population health approach to investigation and solving problems WHAT DOES VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGY HAVE TO OFFER? Veterinary Epidemiology is concerned with efforts to describe, explain, predict and prevent/control disease (& other healthrelated outcomes) in animal populations. Description Identifying cases of diseases in order to calculate the relative frequencies of the diseases within population subgroups. Explanation Identifying causal factors and modes of transmission Prediction Estimating the likely number of cases that Identifying patterns of will develop in the disease occurrence future Prevent/Control Applying epidemiological knowledge to prevent the occurrence of new cases of disease, eradicate existing cases, and prolong the lives of animals with disease Taken together, epidemiology provides the data that will improve our understanding of how diseases develop over time and the factors that relate to disease distributions. These in turn will lead to application of interventions to reduce disease impact. - What it is Epi - "upon“ demos - "the people“ logos - "study of". Veterinary Epidemiology " The frequency, patterns and the factors that influence health, disease & other healthrelated states in animal populations and its application anddisease prevention & to...
Words: 2005 - Pages: 9
...Malnutrition among the Elderly Nursing 408 Malnutrition among the Elderly Introduction According to research published in the May issue of the Annals of Epidemiology, in a nation where people die from complications of too much food, some die from having too little (Lee & Berthelot, 2010). Although malnutrition is often thought of as a killer in the developing world, it's also a problem for the elderly in the United States. In this paper, I will discuss multiple concepts related to malnutrition among the elderly, and how this topic relates to epidemiology. First, I will define and describe malnutrition among the elderly. Second, I will explore the steps and methods of epidemiology related to my chosen topic of malnutrition among the elderly. Third, I will converse about the epidemiological triangle, and the type of epidemiology used for my chosen topic. Fourth, I will discuss how the characteristics of the elderly population influence vulnerability. Fifth, I will define how cultural considerations may impact health status, and any ethical or legal considerations. Last, I will explain the relationship of the malnutrition to various levels of prevention. Researchers from Louisiana State University examined data from 3,141 counties and older adult malnutrition mortality using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. According to CDC data, between 2,000 and 3,000 older adults die from malnutrition each year (Lee & Berthelot, 2010). Trevor Rowe once said, “Unless...
Words: 2067 - Pages: 9
...Epidemiology and Vulnerable Population NUR/408 January 14, 2013 Theresa White Epidemiology and Vulnerable Population This paper will define epidemiology and vulnerable population. The methods and steps involved in the epidemiology process will be discussed. The diseases of a specific vulnerable population and emphasis of one disease will be examined with cultural, ethical, and legal considerations. The epidemiology triangle is explained and evaluating the feasibility of prevention will be explored with definitive steps for prevention. Epidemiology and Vulnerable Population Stanhope and Lancaster (2012) states “epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events in human populations and the application of this knowledge to improving the health of communities (p. 282). In many communities there populations at risk for to specific health care problems creating a vulnerable population. “Vulnerability is a general concept meaning “susceptibility,” and its specific connotation in terms of health care is at risk for health problems” (De Chesney, 2008, p. 3). As Stanhope and Lancaster (2012) identify “epidemiology is a multidisciplinary enterprise that recognizes the complex interrelationships of factors that influence disease and health at both the individual level and the community level; it provides the basic tools for the study of health and disease in communities” (p. 282). In every community there are vulnerable populations...
Words: 2427 - Pages: 10
...Epidemiology Paper Monica Okoro Nur/408 Epidemiology: Global and Public Health September 10, 2012 Diane Campbell, DNP - PHN, FNP - BC Epidemiology Paper Public health nursing allows nurses to encounter various vulnerable populations on a daily basis. In particular, the elderly make up a large portion of the population, and their vulnerability to the environment and other physical factors is a very important aspect of public health nursing. Epidemiology allows the public health nurse to study and assess vulnerable populations, including the elderly, and create interventions that maximize the health potential of all members of the public. This paper will explore the role of epidemiology and also discuss the definition and purpose of epidemiology, epidemiological methods, the epidemiological triangle and levels of prevention that is related with influenza in the elderly community. Definition and Description of Epidemiology Originally, epidemiology was a term that was used to describe the spread of infectious disease. Over the course of time, that definition has expanded considerably in order to accommodate the complexity of ever-changing populations, their environments, and increasing occurrences of disease. Epidemiology is a branch of public health that studies of the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in human populations. It studies the patterns of diseases in human populations and how to control health problems associated with disease...
Words: 2100 - Pages: 9
...e-Activities, functioning as an investigator collaborating with the two (2) agencies to obtain vital statistics on your particular demographic, you are tasked with obtaining the logistics and planning phase of the report. Prioritize the items you would consider when formulating comprehensive letters of inquiry to the agencies. * From the third e-Activity, suppose you are the County Department of Health, Director of STDs Tracking and Surveillance System, tasked with drafting a memo to your state’s head of the DOH about ways to optimize your county’s efficiency. Prepare a rudimentary list of possible questions to articulate your concerns. Provide a rationale for the questions you have chosen. HSA 535 Week 2 Discussion 1 "Applications of Epidemiology" Please respond to the following: * Using the basics and applications of...
Words: 1445 - Pages: 6
...Benchmark Assignment: Epidemiology Chickenpox Class: NRS-427V Concepts in Community and Public Health May 11, 2015 (O500) Name: Gulshan Kaur Date: May 25, 2015 What is epidemiology? Epidemiology is the study of a disease that is in a large population. There are many diseases that exist today and existed in the past that health professionals have interfered with and had these diseases come to a halt. Epidemiology isn't fully about the study of the disease itself, but it mostly comes in relation with the processes of the disease. Also not only is it about processes but it also about the cure and the curing of patients of the disease. People that inherent the epidemiological approach, they study the frequency of occurrence of the disease in the population. The epidemiologist has a belief that studying the interactions of the disease it will be possible to change and manipulate some of the determinants involved and reduce the amount of times the disease occurs in the population. One the diseases that provide epidemiologists the opportunity to study the disease and provide intervention is chicken pox. Also known as varicella, chicken pox is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus. The disease leaves patients with a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which scab over. This disease usually starts at the face and then quickly develops to the chest and back and then spreads to the rest of...
Words: 1416 - Pages: 6
...Epidemiology of RSV and Community Nurse Guidance While caring for a patient a nurse needs to be aware of the current disease process and the epidemiology behind that process. If the nurse is aware of these things, then there is a chance that disease progression or transmission can be slowed or stopped before the process devastates a community. When respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is in its most rapidly developing phase, the community health nurse is in an ideal position to educate the community on keeping children safe and free from this, at times, devastating virus. Epidemiology and Care of RSV It is important to understand the epidemiology of a disease process to effectively manage and treat the disease. Rowe (2013) notes that epidemiology “is the discipline that provides the structure for systematically studying the distribution and determinants of health, disease, and conditions related to health status” (p. 162). When the nurse is evaluating the epidemiology of a disease process such as RSV, he/she needs to keep in mind three critical concepts related to the understanding of epidemiology “the natural history of the disease, the levels of prevention, and the multiple causation of disease” (Rowe, 2013, p. 166). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) The causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, complications and treatment options are important to understand when caring for a child with RSV. The pathogenesis and causes of RSV are fairly well understood, once RSV attaches itself...
Words: 1520 - Pages: 7
...Epidemiology: Teens and Human Papillomavirus Carmen Holder NUR/408 Epidemiology: Teens and Human Papillomavirus Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease found in the young, sexually active population. It is presenting itself as a growing concern among the most vulnerable population; teenagers. Usually, there are no signs or symptoms associated with HPV so most people do not realize they are infected or that they are exposing a sex partner to the virus. There are more than 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital area, but the two most common types are HPV 16 and 18. These two types are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). This paper will define epidemiology and describe the epidemiology triangle as it relates to HPV. A specific type of epidemiology, descriptive, will be explained in addition to various levels of prevention. “The word epidemiology comes from the Greek words epi (upon), demos (people), and logos (thought), and it originally referred to the spread of diseases of infectious origin (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012, p. 255). It was not until the twentieth century that the field of epidemiology was recognized as a discipline. The focus of epidemiology is on evidence-based practice and the outcomes are used to guide a change in practice. Due to the many manifestations of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, and other circumstances related...
Words: 2224 - Pages: 9
...Epidemiology by definition is the study of the distribution and patterns of health-events, health- characteristics and their causes or influences in well-defined populations. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive medicine. Epidemiologists are involved in the design of studies, collection and statistical analysis of data, and interpretation and dissemination of results (including peer review and occasional systematic review).Major areas of epidemiological study include outbreak investigation, disease surveillance and biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects such as in clinical trials. Epidemiologists rely on a number of other scientific disciplines such as biology (to better understand disease processes), biostatistics (to make efficient use of the data and draw appropriate conclusions), and exposure assessment and social science disciplines (to better understand proximate and distal risk factors, and their measurement). I would like to discuss elderly patients as my vulnerable population. There is no set age at which a person maybe under the care of a geriatric physician. The physician aims to promote health by preventing disease and disabilities in geriatric adults. A gerontologist specializes in the aging process. Adult medicine differs from the geriatric patient because the focus is on the elderly...
Words: 5272 - Pages: 22
