Abstract
Health concerns have received much attention throughout the world. Governments, through research institutions, have set up research centers discover various methods that can be applied in controlling the prevalence of preventable diseases. There are various diseases that can be avoided simply by observing some simple rules. One of such diseases is Tuberculosis (TB). This disease is subject to this essay, which addresses the various ways through which the disease can be kept at bay.
Risk Management
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (1995), cases of TB infections in America had gone down, but the problem resurfaced between 1985 and 1993, where the morbidity rates associated with the disease went up by 14%. The causes for this were thought to be the complex social and medical situations. This awakened the need for further efforts to curb the spread of this highly infectious respiratory disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculi. Other nations around the world, especially the poor nations are hard hit by the disease, which claims many lives. Unhygienic conditions propel the spread of the disease, and it is more prevalent HIV/AIDS infected. Definitely, more efforts need to be put in place, especially in public places to rid the public of the danger of contracting the disease. Below are some of the control measures that institutions employ.
Anon. (2012) indicates that in a community jail, there are some measures put in place to safeguard the prisoners from the jaws of the disease. The prevention plan is put in place to ensure that there is absolutely ultimately no case of an outbreak. Here are some control guidelines. First, prisoners have are screened of TB status by a registered nurse. X-ray photos act as further proof to verify that the inmates have no symptoms of the disease. These measures are taken after three months. To ensure that the public is free of danger, the facility ensures that no inmate re-integrates into the public until verification of their TB status. The medical nurses are responsible for detecting and warning of an outbreak. There is also a public health nurse who inspects the facility to ensure that incidents of the disease are kept at bay. In case a case of infection is noticed, medication starts immediately.
CDC (1995) also gives the measures adopted by the American society. The first steps are immediate confinement and prompt treatment for an infected individual. The caregivers adhere to the patients’ confidentiality regulations, so only the caregiver knows of the condition. People at high risk of contracting the disease are also screened on regular basis. In the hospitals, there are measures to ensure that inpatients receive the best care before discharge. On suspicion that an individual could have contracted the disease, immediate laboratory tests help to ascertain the condition and if positive, medication starts immediately. Treatment for the infected is also offered without considering the ability of the patient to pay for the service. In an act of strict control, there are also measures such as detaining non infectious people unwilling to complete medication. This helps to avoid an eventuality where the individuals develop drug-resistant strains.
The Public Health department at Seattle and King County (2005) takes an educative approach to the control of the disease. Through its publications, the department sensitizes the public on the seriousness of the health threat posed by TB. These efforts are aimed at putting it in the minds of the public that TB issue is a major concern. On raising the public’s awareness on TB, the department focuses on educating the civil society. This process progresses in such a manner that the society knows conditions that make one susceptible to the disease. It goes on to educate the people on how to prevent contracting the illness. The belief is that by following the guidelines given by the department, individuals are empowered to protect themselves from falling victims of this deadly disease.
Last, the Canadian Disease Control Agency (2012) looks at the various methods adopted by the country to prevent the spread of TB. One strategy is screening all the HIV-infected people as well as those in close contact with them. Such a practice comes from the belief that HIV patients are susceptible to TB. Also people who get into the country but are on treatment are kept on medical surveillance for three months after entering the country so as to ensure that they are totally free of the disease. The department also observes proper records for the disease. This can help to determine if there are any patterns associated with the disease.
In comparison, there is no much similarity in the methods adopted by the different departments. All of them have different measures, but all are effective in controlling the disease. This shows how stubborn the problem is. It is so diverse that even the control methods are quite different. However, even if the methods of prevention are different, it is generally agreeable that the motives behind the various measures are very similar. For instance, Anonymous (2012) notes that surveillance strategies come in at the community jail, and inmates are not cleared to rejoin the public unless totally free of the disease. The same strategies are applied in other situations. The Canadian disease control agency also carries out surveillance on suspected cases, and so does the CDC (1995). It is only the Public Health department of the Seattle and King County that does not indicate surveillance strategies. However, the department adopts the community awareness strategy. Another similarity is that all the cases considered agree that TB is a communal menace and has needs control at whichever cost.
In conclusion, this essay has looked at the context of TB as a health risk factor in the community. This has been authenticated by evidence provided by four departments, all of which are in agreement that measures to curb the disease are vital. The menace is so serious that some of the institutions even prefer confining or detaining infected individuals who show no signs of the will to comply with the medical procedures. The excess attention given to the issue proves that it needs serious thought.
This essay seeks to give some recommendations on measures to prevent the spread of the disease. After a careful literature review, it came out clear that the disease is more prevalent in the vulnerable groups, such as the poor or those infected by HIV/AIDS. Poor hygienic conditions also have a major role in the spread of the disease. As such, the control measures adopted should address these issues. For starters, there should be comprehensive public health programs to ensure that the habitations of the people are hygienic. There should also be a program initiated, provides screening services for those wiling to take the test as well as the vulnerable populations. Most importantly, there should be accessible health services such that individuals thought or suspected to have contracted the disease can receive attention promptly. Effective BCG vaccination for all children under the age of five comes in as a handy control measure. It is common for the poor populations to neglect their health, some failing to even turn up for pre-natal or post-natal care. This puts the children at risk. For such cases, the relevant authorities should organize for outreach programs where the services are brought to the people on specific set days. Unless the health and other relevant authorities take health care issues more seriously, the population will continue suffering from preventable diseases such as TB.
References
Anonymous. (2012). TB Control.
Centre for Disease Control. (1995). Essential Components of a Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program Recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis. Retrieved on 8th Feb 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00038823.htm
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2012). Disease Prevention and Control Guidelines. Retrieved on 8th Feb 2012 from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dpg-eng.php#tb
Public Health, Seattle & King County. (2005). Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Guidelines for Homeless Service Agencies in Seattle-King County, Washington. Retrieved on 8th Feb 2012 from http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=tb%20prevention%20measures%20by%20different%20agencies&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kingcounty.gov%2Fhealthservices%2Fhealth%2Fpersonal%2FHCHN%2F~%2Fmedia%2Fhealth%2Fpublichealth%2Fdocuments%2Ftb%2Ftbguidelines.ashx&ei=jowyT6_SKcOohAee-4HpBA&usg=AFQjCNE_WzKh-0QlXXrYI-DlgWDvGOgm8w&cad=rja
