Choose a global health issue. For this assignment, you will introduce the health issue and discuss the interventions necessary to prevent the issue and promote health.
Some topics to consider may include:
- Anthrax
- Bioterrorism
- Cholera
- Clostridium botulinum infection
- Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
- Ebola virus disease
- Escherichia coli
- Human immunodeficiency virus disease
- Malaria
- Plague
- Severe respiratory distress syndrome
- Small pox
- Suicide
- Tuberculosis
- Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection
- West Nile virus
Include the following in your paper:
- Introduction/overview of the health issue and the prevalence in the United States and worldwide
- Contributing factors
- Prevention strategies
- Signs and symptoms
- Diagnostic tests (if applicable)
- Advanced practice nursing role and management strategies
- Medical/pharmacological management (if applicable)
- Follow-up care
- Conclusion
Write a 3–4 page paper following APA format. You must include 2–3 scholarly sources in your citations and references.
Title: Combating Tuberculosis: A Global Health Challenge
Introduction
Tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent global health issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily targets the lungs, but it can also affect other organs. TB is a curable and preventable disease, yet it remains a significant public health concern due to its prevalence in many parts of the world. This essay will provide an overview of tuberculosis, its prevalence in the United States and worldwide, contributing factors, prevention strategies, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, the advanced practice nursing role, medical/pharmacological management, follow-up care, and conclude with a discussion of the importance of global efforts to combat TB.
Overview and Prevalence
Tuberculosis has been a persistent global health issue for centuries, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that over 10 million people fell ill with TB in 2019. In the United States, TB rates have been declining over the years, but the disease still poses a significant threat, with 7,136 reported cases in 2019. Globally, TB is a leading cause of death from infectious diseases, responsible for approximately 1.4 million deaths in 2019.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to the prevalence of TB, including poverty, overcrowded living conditions, malnutrition, weakened immune systems (especially due to HIV/AIDS), and limited access to healthcare. The bacterium spreads through the air when an infectious individual coughs or sneezes, making close contact with infected individuals a significant risk factor.
Prevention Strategies
Preventing the spread of tuberculosis requires a multi-faceted approach. The most effective prevention strategies include:
- Vaccination: The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used in many countries to prevent severe forms of TB, especially in children.
- Early Detection and Treatment: Timely diagnosis and treatment of active TB cases are crucial to prevent its spread. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in identifying and treating TB cases promptly.
- Infection Control: Implementing infection control measures in healthcare settings and crowded places, such as prisons and shelters, can help reduce the risk of TB transmission.
- Contact Tracing: Identifying and testing individuals who have been in close contact with TB patients can help prevent further transmission.
Signs and Symptoms
TB can present with various symptoms, including persistent cough, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. It can also remain asymptomatic in latent TB infections, making early detection through screening and testing essential.
Diagnostic Tests
The diagnosis of TB typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, radiological imaging, and laboratory tests. These may include sputum smear microscopy, chest X-rays, nucleic acid amplification tests, and culture tests to identify the presence of M. tuberculosis.
Advanced Practice Nursing Role and Management Strategies
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) play a crucial role in the management of TB. They are involved in patient education, screening, contact tracing, and ensuring treatment adherence. APNs also collaborate with other healthcare providers to manage complications and address the psychosocial needs of patients.
Medical/Pharmacological Management
The treatment of TB involves a combination of antibiotics over a specified duration, typically 6-9 months. First-line drugs include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. In some cases, drug-resistant TB may require second-line medications, which can be more complex and have increased side effects.
Follow-up Care
After initiating treatment, patients with TB require ongoing monitoring to ensure medication adherence and assess treatment response. APNs play a key role in follow-up care by monitoring symptoms, side effects, and addressing any barriers to treatment completion.
Conclusion
Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. While progress has been made in reducing TB incidence and mortality, it is essential to continue and strengthen efforts to combat this disease. Preventive strategies, early detection, and comprehensive management, with a focus on patient education and support, are critical components of the fight against TB. Collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and global organizations is essential to achieve the goal of eliminating TB as a public health threat worldwide. As advanced practice nurses, we must remain dedicated to our role in preventing and managing TB, contributing to a healthier global community.