Nursing: health system
Infectious diseases are those easily transmitted from one person to another. These diseases are transmitted through air, water, via bacteria, parasite, fungi, or viruses. A recent data analysis by health organizations places the rate of these diseases at a higher rate over the years, for instance, Ebola epidemic that lasted in the West African countries in the past decade, and the recent epidemic of the coronavirus in Asian countries which is claiming a lot of lives. The world health organization (WHO) came up with guidelines regarding the reporting of these infectious diseases. The organization also suggested some possible ways and methods of preventing these diseases that should be practiced by health systems worldwide.
As a starting point, disease notification which describes the formal and accurate reporting of the incidence of particular illnesses to chosen public health experts like clinicians among other healthcare professionals so that action can be taken by used tools designated for this reporting. On the other hand, disease surveillance refers to the uninterrupted examination of manifestation of illnesses and other events connected to health to facilitate prompt intervention timely intervention in the control of diseases. Consequently, this essay purpose to examine a particular country’s guidelines about reporting and monitoring infectious diseases and the role the health system could play in the utilization of these regulations. To achieve this objective, the author has selected Swaziland’s guidelines on reporting of infectious diseases in the context of HIV/AIDS in African countries. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Swaziland’s Infectious Disease Notification and Disease surveillance Guidelines
Swaziland is one of the most severely HIV-affected countries. The first AIDS case in Swaziland was reported in 1987; today, more than one in three adults is infected, and Swaziland faces a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic. The HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women is currently estimated to be 43%. According to Swaziland’s ninth HIV seroprevalence survey conducted in 2004 among women attending antenatal care clinics, the HIV prevalence rate among 15- to 19-year-olds declined from 32% in 2002 to 29% in 2004, indicating that the number of new infections in this age group may be declining. However, the prevalence rate was increasing in other age groups, the hardest hit being those 25–29 years old, with a prevalence rate of 56%. Most deaths have occurred among young people. Rural and urban areas do not differ significantly. About 75–80% of the people with tuberculosis are co-infected with HIV. The epidemic has been fuelled by poverty, unemployment, a large migrant population, and conservative religious and traditional beliefs against condom use and frequents multiple sexual partners and has severely affected society and the economy.
The Role of the Swaziland Health Systems Play in Applying the IDSR Guidelines
According to current data analysis, many African countries are affected by infectious diseases calamities. Since the world has become a global village, no country is safe from these infections as they spread fast and wide. The health systems in Swaziland ensure a certain implementation of IDSR guidelines for efficient surveillance, monitoring, and notification of infectious diseases. The first role they play is clinical and laboratory-based surveillance so that the clinicians avail early warnings of disease outbreaks that call for rapid response across all levels from the local, state, national, regional, and international. Healthcare professionals are the heads of implementing these guidelines. Upon examining the disease, they diagnose it basing on its signs and symptoms using some of the diagnostic aids. Some of these aids include laboratory-based tests and rapid test kits, among others.
The other role is the sentinel surveillance, where the health systems alert the public by equipping the health authorities with the data collected on the disease in particular areas. This way, they get to inform the people of a disease outbreak with care and control. At the same time, they get to utilize the surveillance based on the community and the investigations to complement monitoring based on the laboratory and clinical. This role is essential in the sense that confirming diagnoses in community settings prevents some cases from not receiving treatment.
Description and Assessment of Health Systems in the Prevention and Containment of HIV/AIDS
Since HIV is a virus-caused infection, its prevention and containment majorly depend on the victims and the people at large. The health systems try as much as they can to educate the people on the different ways of preventing the infection. They train on the importance of having protected sex and abstinence among teenagers. Creating public awareness is the most efficient way of preventing HIV/AIDS. The health systems educate the public on the effects of HIV and its consequences on an individual, the family, and society.
The health systems also visit the health care centres and emphasize of the procedure of screening blood meant for blood transfusion. HIV is highly spread through blood transfusions; therefore, screening of blood in health care centers is essential to reduce and even prevent such cases.
In my opinion, public awareness can be the most effective way of preventing the spread and contraction of HIV/AIDS. In a country like Swaziland, the high rate of people living with HIV has contracted the disease through sexual intercourse. The most affected are the female gender that most have been reported to undergo sexual abuse and violence, which leads to them getting the disease. Public awareness among the people of Swaziland can reduce the spread of HIV if they get the knowledge on the adverse effects of the disease, both socially and economically.
In conclusion, the health systems of a country are essential when it comes to preventing and controlling disease epidemics. Reporting of the issue is the most crucial role as knowing the problem earlier makes way for the early prevention of a disaster. The prevention of the disease is also vital as more knowledge of the disease and its effect on the public creates a cautious environment; thus, people might abstain from any risk of attaining the condition.
References
Bertozzi, S. (2006). “HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment,” Chapter 18, Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries, (2nd Edition). Washington (DC): World Bank.
Gallant, M. (2004). “School-Based HIV Prevention Programmes for African Youth.” Social Science and Medicine, 58(7), pp. 1337–51.
Gollwitzer, P.M. (2006) Implementation intentions and goal achievement: A meta-analysis of effects and processes. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 38, pp.69–119.
Kirby, D.B. (2007). “Sex and HIV Education Programs: Their Impact on Sexual Behaviors of Young People throughout the World.” Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(3), pp. 206-17.