NURS 4210 Week 1 – Community Health Issues
Public health nursing (PHN) is a unique specialty that requires a specialized knowledge base (Stanhope, 2015). PHN stands apart from other nursing specialties due to its population-focused and community-oriented approach, emphasis on health promotion and prevention, interventions at the community or population level, and concern for the health of all individuals, particularly the vulnerable members of the population (Stanhope, 2015). PHN professionals are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of their communities by leveraging their specific skill set (Stanhope, 2015). Given their specialized knowledge, PHNs must diligently address various health issues they encounter.
Currently, the top three health concerns in Maricopa County Public Health Department are flu vaccination, Zika virus, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination. Among these, I will focus on the Zika virus, which poses a significant threat due to the resilience of the Aedes mosquito species (Paixão et al., 2016). The Zika virus eggs can survive for over a year, even in dry conditions, and can reproduce in small amounts of water, such as a bottle cap (Paixão et al., 2016).
NURS 4210 Week 1 – Community Health Issues
One way to address this issue at the population level is by educating the community about the epidemiological triangle. The epidemiological triangle consists of three components: the agent (Zika virus), the host (a susceptible individual, particularly those vulnerable), and the environment (climate, agent habitats, and population distribution in a given area) (Stanhope, 2015). Once the population understands this concept, it becomes crucial to teach them how to break one of the links in the triangle to prevent an outbreak. PHNs play a vital role as the first line of defense in breaking these links.
During my conversation with a PHN, they mentioned several tools they utilize to disseminate up-to-date information to the public. These tools include email communication with healthcare providers’ offices, county or state websites, and social media platforms like Facebook. All of these methods align with the intervention wheel, a comprehensive framework for public health interventions.
NURS 4210 Week 1 – Community Health Issues
To stay ahead of the resistant Zika virus, PHNs should continue to educate themselves on the latest data regarding the virus (Coyle, 2016). Furthermore, they should continue educating the public on prevention strategies since there is currently no vaccine available to protect against the Zika virus (Coyle, 2016). Prevention efforts should focus on eliminating all standing water sources, wearing protective clothing (long sleeves and pants), and applying approved insect repellents (Coyle, 2016).
References
Coyle, A. L. (2016). Zika virus: What nurses need to know. Nursing, 46(5), 22-24. doi:10.1097/01.NURSE.0000482279.79660.bb Paixão, E. S., Barreto, F., Teixeira, M. G., Costa, M. N., & Rodrigues, L. C. (2016). History, Epidemiology, and Clinical Manifestations of Zika: A Systematic Review. American Journal Of Public Health, 106(4), 606-612. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303112 Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2015). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community, 9th Edition [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780323321532
