Infectious Disease Trends - Research Paper

Introduction

Since time immemorial, infectious diseases have been responsible for the destruction of the human race. Though public health, health care are being advanced, communicable diseases continue to pose as a major global health threat with the entry of drug-resistant pathogens, new pathogens, and the reemergence of existing pathogens.

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Defining Epidemiology, Outbreak, Incidence, and Prevalence

According to World Health Organization(WHO) in respect of infectious diseases, Epidemiology is defined as the study of how determinants of health-related states, for example, diseases are distributed and as a result, findings of the study are implemented in control and prevention of the diseases and other health threats. Descriptive studies and surveillance are among the wide range of epidemiological investigative methods. The outbreak is referred to as the excess occurrence at alarming levels of a particular disease in a defined geographical locality (Johnson, De Roode, & Fenton, 2015). Its lifespan varies depending on how well the situation is handled. Incidence is defined as the rate of new cases of infections occurring within a specified period reported. Classification of incidence rates can be done based on racial origin, gender, diagnostic group or age group. Prevalence is the actual figure of people with the disease and is still alive during point prevalence or period prevalence.

Evaluating the Role of Nursing Within Epidemiology

Medical nurses play a pivotal role in epidemiology to control and prevent infectious diseases cases. As a result, nurse epidemiologist, a nursing professional who specialises in patient's optimal care to minimise infection risks and control infections is a major advancement in the nursing wing in epidemiology handling. Nurse epidemiologists have been able to; assess and determine potential infection threats among patients, identify risk infection factors within a facility or a given population and issue recommendation for modification to enhance infection control, and monitor patients under optimal care to prevent infection spread throughout the population (Johnson, De Roode, & Fenton, 2015). Lastly, nurses' work in harmony with other major stakeholders in the formulation and execution of policies and procedures aimed at minimising infections.

Evaluating Current Infectious Disease Locally, Statewide, and Nationally

Infectious diseases continue to be a major concern to health care providers at local, statewide, and national levels. For instance, in the case of tuberculosis, a major communicable disease that results in significant mortality and morbidity in the world. Reports from the World Health Organization(WHO) reveals a decline in the incident rate of tuberculosis over the years. However, with over 1.3million mortality witnessed worldwide out of the estimated 8.6million new cases reported. Also, measles continues to be a significant cause of blindness. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continues to be the world most growing infectious disease evidenced by the estimated 34.0 million persons including children living with it globally by the year 2011. Currently, new infections stand at 2.5 million annually (CDC definition, 2012).

The United States has made great strides in vaccine-preventable infectious diseases through immunisation against mainly measles and pertussis. Research proved that both measles and pertussis could be prevented through vaccination. However, in developing nations, measles and pertussis remain a challenge. Through the administration of vaccines, a significant reduction in hepatitis A, B and C cases record by 1990s worldwide. Curable Sexually transmitted infections(STI) such as syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea still occur at significant rates. With the advent of antiretroviral treatment for diagnosed AIDS patients, mortality rates recorded annually drastically reduced as Comprehensive Care Centers were also established to cater for AIDS patients. Despite the remarkable improvements, communicable and infectious diseases persist. This can be attributed to the uneven success distribution on health care service delivery at local, statewide, and national levels brought about by discrimination based on status quo, ethnicity, and race.

Associating three of the Most Current Diseases With Healthy People 2020

Healthy People 2020 objectives program rolled out by the United State Department of Health and Human Services, to improve health mainly centred at immunisation and reduction of preventable infectious diseases among other topics. Through the program, the people in the UnitedStates can conveniently access vaccines of tuberculosis, influenza and hepatitis, which are the leading causes of death among infectious diseases. With the Healthy People 2020 objective, important defence mechanism aimed at encountering infectious diseases have emerged (Vander Borght & Wyns, 2018). Such defences include and not limited to the following: guidelines governing screening and testing, the introduction of powerful antibiotics, proper usage of vaccines and improvements in the scientific diagnosis of communicable diseases. Moreover, Healthy People 2020 objectives focus on advancements in technology, promotion of scientific research on emerging trends in infectious diseases' field and unifying nongovernmental organisations and local public health state departments as a prerequisite in control of infectious diseases.

Analysis of Evidence-Based Practices Aimed At Infectious Diseases

Integration of scientific research findings and clinical expertise has resulted in evidence-based practices aimed at reducing infectious diseases. This has assisted in improving health care practices and limiting the outbreak of infections hence preserving the health of the people in a community. Practices such as hand hygiene; the "clean in, clean out" approach, disinfecting of equipment, and hands-on your way in, and out of the patient's room, screening, and cohorting patient. This was done to prevent cross infections as patients with the same infection are kept in a same designated area, surveillance; enables data gathering with regards to infection patterns in a faculty aiding in decision making on prevention and reduction protocols and comprehensive unit-based safety programs. An issue which incorporates teamwork, leadership, and communication promoting safety improvement of patients as a way of reducing infectious diseases. Each of those evidence-based practices assists health care centres in keeping the outbreak of infections at bay. Upon their implementation, success in reducing infectious diseases is ascertained.

References

CDC definition (2012). OR UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic (http://www.unaids.org). Retrieved from (http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/statistics_HIV_Case_Def_Consult_Summary.pdf)

Johnson, P. T., De Roode, J. C., & Fenton, A. (2015). Why infectious disease research needs community ecology. Science, 349(6252), 1259504.

Vander Borght, M., & Wyns, C. (2018). Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology. Clinical Biochemistry, 62, 2-10.