Description of the Disease/Demographic of Interest, Research Paper Example

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a complex and lifelong virus that may transform into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in many patients if left untreated (CDC, 2015). Transmission of HIV is generally acquired by having unprotected sex with an infected partner or through the sharing of equipment used to inject drugs, and the disease cannot be spread through kissing, touching, shaking hands, or other forms of casual contact (CDC, 2015). The disease is diagnosed through a blood test, and it is recommended for anyone who is using injectable drugs and is sharing needles, along with those who have had unprotected sex, even on one occasion (CDC, 2015). The most common signs and symptoms associated with HIV include flu-like symptoms that may be described by some patients as the “worst flu ever,” occurring 2-4 weeks after exposure to the virus (AIDS.gov, 2015). Others may not experience any symptoms at all, so testing is essential in order to determine if one is infected with the virus (AIDs.gov, 2015). Treatment typically requires a variety of HIV medications and strong medication adherence, along with a healthy diet, exercise, and the management of any other illness that may arise (AIDS.gov, 2015). HIV impacts one million people in the United States, and 1 out of 7 people does not know that he or she has HIV; in addition, 1 out of every 4 new infections are in patients between the ages of 13 and 24 (AIDS.gov, 2015).

Determinants of Health

Any person who has unprotected sex with a person who has HIV or with a person who may have HIV but does not know it is at risk of the disease. HIV may infect persons, regardless of their level of immunity. In addition, those who use injectable drugs and share needles are also at a higher risk of contracting the virus. It is always important to achieve optimal health as best as possible; however, an HIV diagnosis is difficult to manage. One of the most critical determinants of health associated with HIV is the role of behavioral outcomes, as behaviors typically create a higher level of risk for these patients. This is not always the case but it requires individuals to consider their own risks associated with HIV and to take the steps that are required to reduce their overall risk and to improve their health in the process. This is an important step in promoting positive behaviors in order to reduce the potential of contracting HIV in many patients, particularly those who are in the most vulnerable population groups. HIV is generally preventable in most patients who follow a behavioral regimen that will have positive and lasting benefits on their lives.

Epidemiologic Triangle

With HIV, there is a greater need to evaluate the disease and its overall level of risk for patients from an epidemiological perspective. To be specific, the agent of HIV includes several viral subtypes, the attraction of cells to the virus such as CD4 cells and macrophages, and the type of phenotypic differences that exist between blood and isolates within semen (California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center). Environmental factors include behavioral practices involving sexual behaviors, whether or not patient are sufficiently educated regarding the disease, their choice of whether or not to use contraceptives, sexual relations with the same sex or with the opposite sex, substance abuse, particularly injectable drugs, and the ability to access effective economic resources (California HIV/STD Prevention Training Center). This reflects a need to evaluate the conditions under which the environment has a significant impact on patients and what they must consider in regards to their own risk of HIV. For the host, the female’s cervical area is likely to impact the risk of HIV, and for males, it is the foreskin, seminal plasma, and cells within seminal fluid; in addition, other considerations include a patient’s viral load observed in the blood and the level of virus that exists within secretions (California HIV/STD Prevention Training Center). Each of these factors plays a critical role in the development of a framework to address an individual’s risk of HIV and what is required to overcome this risk in the present and future.

Role of the Community Health Nurse

The community health nurse is responsible for developing and maintaining a number of strategies that are used to impact those at risk of HIV and those who have the virus, each in different ways. This requires a greater understanding and acknowledgement of how each individual responds to this potential risk and how to best manage a widespread program to educate patients, to promote testing, to provide information regarding contraception, and to provide information to at-risk populations regarding their behaviors. This requires the community health nurse to educate individuals and groups regarding the risks associated with HIV, as well as other factors that impact individuals and their ability to manage their own level of risk. This is an important step in enabling a community health nurse to be effective in all efforts to provide HIV patients and the general public with the tools and resources that are necessary to improve their quality of life.

Community health nurses must also provide an environment in which they are able to contribute to the conversation regarding HIV and what is required to ensure that those at risk of HIV are well-educated regarding statistics and other tools to impact their decision-making. These nurses must also be able to contribute through their work to promote surveillance and data collection regarding HIV within the community and within the practice setting. This will establish the tone for understanding the dynamics of this practice and to determine what is required to ensure that patients receive the appropriate treatments in a timely manner to support their communities. It is expected that this process will reflect a need to develop opportunities to enhance the lives of local residents with the work that they perform and to recognize their value within local communities at this level. There must be a greater focus and level of attention on the different needs of the community and how these nurses are able to provide further guidance in a variety of areas. Community health nurses must be able to contribute and to make a difference in the lives of local residents with their actions and to be proactive in working towards viable methods to improve HIV education and awareness, particularly for those who are at a higher level of risk.

Conclusion

AIDS United is an organization that focuses on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, treatment, and research in the United States (2015). The organization focuses on a number of critical areas, including policy and advocacy, increasing capacity building, and providing grants to researchers and supporting community-based programs in different areas (AIDS United, 2015). These factors are important because they reflect a need to focus greater attention on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, particularly among at-risk populations, as this is likely to have a lasting impact on many population groups (AIDS United, 2015). The organization also emphasizes the development of regional and local programs to support communities and to promote greater awareness of HIV/AIDS (AIDS United, 2015). The organization also focuses much of its efforts on policy development and decision-making regarding HIV/AIDS on a national level, as well as on the local level (AIDS United, 2015). HIV/AIDS advocacy is a critical component of this process and requires an effective understanding of the dynamics related to increasing awareness and education regarding HIV/AIDS and how it impacts local communities in different ways.

References

AIDS.gov (2015). HIV/AIDS basics. Retrieved from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/index.html

AIDS United (2015). Home page. Retrieved from http://www.aidsunited.org/

California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center. HIV/Sexually transmitted disease interactions. Pp. 1-49.

CDC.gov (2015). HIV 101. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html