Epidemiology in Community Health Nursing, Essay Example

Application of epidemiology principles in community health nursing practice to promote health in individuals, families, groups and/or current

Nursing theories to community health practice.

Epidemiological principles are practiced often in community health nursing to promote individuals and families/groups health because the focus seems to be the same. A major principle is health promotion. In promoting health epidemiologists record and report disease occurance within specific geographic locations, which can be designated communities. Similarly, community health nurses investigate health irregularities occurring within families record and report those dysfunctions as well as intervene with health promotion strategies. Precisely, epidemiology traces occurrences and makes recommendations for resolutions. Community health nurses use the same principle to intervene and design health promotion interventions (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2010).

Epidemiological concepts

Population at risk refers to a group of people sharing common characteristics that make them vulnerable to a particular disease. An example is the Haitian population after 2010 earthquake. They became a population at risk for Hepatitis A due to damage to pure water supply due to the disaster.

Natural history of disease describes the uninterrupted progression of an infection or disorder from the time of onset of symptoms indicative of exposure until resolution or death. An example is the HIV/AIDS infection there is a natural history whereby certain irregularities occur within the person’s immune system until he/she dies.

Levels of prevention relate to the three levels applied to disease prevention; control and eradication. They encompass primary whereby vaccines are administered and public health safety policies are implemented. Secondary and tertiary is aimed at controlling the disease from a patient/population perspective.

Host-agent environment relationships are a triangular infectious disease model developed whereby the agent refers to the virulence, infectivity and addictive qualities of the organism. The environment relates to public health interventions and the host encompasses the genetic susceptibility of the population; nutritional status and resilience to the infecting organism.

References

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2010).  Foundation of Nursing in the Community-Oriented Practice (4^th ed).New York. Elsevier Mosby.