NUR/408
May 23rd, 2013
Programmatic Assessment-Epidemiology
This document will discuss the relevancy of the population chosen and the disease of interest. The vulnerable population that was chosen is the homeless. The disease related to this population is HIV/AIDS. It will define and describe epidemiology regarding HIV/AIDS and the steps and methods used. This document will also define the Epidemiological Triangle and the different types of epidemiology. It will also discuss how the population chosen characteristics influences vulnerability and how the cultural considerations may influence health status of the individual. It will explain the ethical and legal considerations and how to overcome potential biases and describe the relationship of the disease to the various levels of prevention.
Relevant Population and Disease of Interest
The homeless population has a higher risk of developing HIV. A sizeable amount of homeless people struggle with drug abuse and numerous homeless people shoot up drugs in their vein and either share or reuse needles. “This is responsible for 13% of HIV/AIDS diagnosed in the United States. 50% of cases are due to male-to-male sexual contact, and 33% are due to heterosexual sex” (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2012). Homelessness can precede sexual activities that intensify the risk of developing HIV (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2012).
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the division of medical science that studies the influences that determine the presence or absence of diseases. Epidemiological research helps to understand how many people have a disease and if those numbers are changing. It also looks into how the disease affects our society and our economy. Epidemiologists study the distribution of frequencies and patterns of health events within groups in a population (Center for Disease Control, 2004).
Steps and Methods in Epidemiology Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
References: Center for Disease Control . (2004). Epidemiology in the Classroom-An Introduction to Epidemiology. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/excite/classroom/intro_epi.htm Human Rights and International Affairs Division. (2011). HIV/AIDS AND HOMELESSNESS. Retrieved from http://www.naswdc.org/practice/peace/psj0703.pdf National Coalition for the Homeless. (2012). HIV/AIDS and Homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/hiv.html National Prevention Information Network. (2013). HIV Prevention Today http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/hiv/prevent.asp Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc.. (2009). What is Epidemiology? Retrieved from http://www.usetinc.org/programs/uset-thps/tribalepicenter/definingepidemiology.aspx U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2009). HIV/AIDS . Retrieved from http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/hivaids/research/epidemiology/Pages/default.aspx Vaughn, L., Jacquez, F., & Baker, R. (2009, May). Cultural Health Attributions, Beliefs, and Practices: Effects on Healthcare and Medical Education. The Open Medical Education Journal, 2(8), 64-74.