Epidemiology of Rubella
Epidemiology of Rubella
NUR 408
August 6, 2012
Epidemiology of Rubella
Pregnant women are one vulnerable group susceptible to contracting a viral disease. One viral disease that pregnant women can contract is rubella. Rubella is often a mild disease that affects children, adolescents, young adults, and is susceptible to pregnant women. The disease can be devastating when transmitted to the fetus. This paper will discuss the definition and description of epidemiology as well as the steps and methods of epidemiology as it relates to rubella and congenital rubella, by using the epidemiology triangle. The different types of epidemiology and various levels of prevention for rubella and congenital rubella will be viewed.
Epidemiology is a valuable tool concerning nursing and health care. Epidemiology is defined as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems” (Centers for Disease Control, 2006). Epidemiology is important concerning population health management because it examines how health related issues affect a community. This type of knowledge is used to determine how to lessen exposure to disease throughout the world. Epidemiology is considered the basic science of public health (Stanhope, Lancaster, 2012). Like public health nursing, epidemiology is a complex and continually evolving field with a common focus: the optimal health for all members of all communities, local and global (2012).
The practice of epidemiology also can be viewed as a community health problem solving process (The United South and Easter Tribe, Inc., 2009). The epidemiological process parallels the steps in processes familiar to health professions, like the diagnostic process, the nursing process, the scientific process, and the quality improvement process, especially if one sees the target process outcome as improving the health of specified
NUR 408
August 6, 2012
Epidemiology of Rubella
Pregnant women are one vulnerable group susceptible to contracting a viral disease. One viral disease that pregnant women can contract is rubella. Rubella is often a mild disease that affects children, adolescents, young adults, and is susceptible to pregnant women. The disease can be devastating when transmitted to the fetus. This paper will discuss the definition and description of epidemiology as well as the steps and methods of epidemiology as it relates to rubella and congenital rubella, by using the epidemiology triangle. The different types of epidemiology and various levels of prevention for rubella and congenital rubella will be viewed.
Epidemiology is a valuable tool concerning nursing and health care. Epidemiology is defined as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems” (Centers for Disease Control, 2006). Epidemiology is important concerning population health management because it examines how health related issues affect a community. This type of knowledge is used to determine how to lessen exposure to disease throughout the world. Epidemiology is considered the basic science of public health (Stanhope, Lancaster, 2012). Like public health nursing, epidemiology is a complex and continually evolving field with a common focus: the optimal health for all members of all communities, local and global (2012).
The practice of epidemiology also can be viewed as a community health problem solving process (The United South and Easter Tribe, Inc., 2009). The epidemiological process parallels the steps in processes familiar to health professions, like the diagnostic process, the nursing process, the scientific process, and the quality improvement process, especially if one sees the target process outcome as improving the health of specified
References: Best Practice. (2011). Secondary Prevention. Retrieved from http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/monograph/1167/prevention/secondary.html Centers of Disease Control. (2006). Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice. Retrieved from http://www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/portlandinjury/pdfs/principlesofepidemiologyinpublichealthpractice.pdf Hellen Keller National Center. (2008). Congenital Rubella Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.hknc.org/Rubella.htm National Center for Biotechnology Information. (1996). Togaviruses: Rubella Virus. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8200/ Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2008). Public Health Nursing: Population Centered Health Care in the Community (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsvier. Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Publiic Health Nursing Population Centered Health Care in the Community (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MS: Elsvier Mosby. United South and Easter Tribes, Inc.. (2009). What is Epidemiology. Retrieved from http://usetinc.org/programs/uset-thps/tribalepicenter/DefiningEpidemiology.aspx World Health Organization. (2012). Rubella. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/immunization/topics/rubella/en/index.html