Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Miami Dade - Admission/Application Essay Example

Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Miami Dade Introduction Over the recent past, Chlamydia trachomatis disease has posed a greater challenge in Miami Dade. According to the County Snapshot based on five year Florida STD trends covering 2009 to 2013, there is a persistent growth in its prevalence rate. The cases of its infection has increased from 11,829 to 13,835 over the five years. In addition, the examination of prevalence rates per 100,000 persons has shockingly showed a fast growing trend. The number has risen from 8,110 in 2009 to 9,320 in 2013. Females have suffered more than males with a percentage of 51% in a population of 2,551,124 across the five years. On the other hand, age group is also a determinant a percentage of 45% for youths, 15-34 years with much impacts felt on those less than 25 years. In addition, race and ethnicity accounts for such escalating incidences (black=17, whites=15, Hispanic 66). It is revealed that Hispanic suffer greatly with the highest prevalence rate of 66% The research found that there were 10,356 Chlamydia and 2,419 Gonorrhea Cases representing all age groups and both genders in the Miami Dade area for the year of 2013. Current statistics for January through Sept 2014 show 7,927 Cases of Chlamydia and 1,763 Cases of Gonorrhea for all ages and both genders in Miami Dade. Chlamydia trachomatis, a sexually transmitted disease is prevalence throughout the United States but there are areas where this disease is more concentrated with the greatest incidence among females 14-19 years of age. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Because the symptoms of this disease are mild, it makes awareness of infection and diagnosis difficult. If untreated, infected persons may suffer impaired organs such as the uterus of infected women and eyes of 2012). Background Iinformation on Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection The cases of its infection has increased from 11,829 to 13,835 over the five years (2009-2013). The examination of prevalence rates per 100,000 persons has shockingly showed a fast growing trend. The number has risen from 8,110 in 2009 to 9,320 in 2013. Females have suffered more than males with a percentage of 51% in a population of 2,551,124 across the five years. Age group is also a determinant a percentage of 45% for youths, 15-34 years with much impacts felt on those less than 25 years. Besides, race and ethnicity accounts for such escalating incidences with the Hispanic mostly affected (black=17, whites=15, Hispanic 66). Additionally, there were 10,356 Chlamydia and 2,419 Gonorrhea Cases representing all age groups and both genders in the Miami Dade area for the year of 2013. Current statistics for January through Sept 2014 show 7,927 Cases of Chlamydia and 1,763 Cases of Gonorrhea for all ages and both genders in Miami Dade Research studies that have been initiated by the significance of the infection rates of Chlamydia trachomatis. Leon (2009) identified factors in the infection’s occurrence as (1) age as the most common factor in Chlamydia trachomatis infection and plateaus between age 18 and 24 years and declines after age 24 years and (2) ethnicity, which shows variations across ethnic groups with some ethnic groups have higher probabilities of infection than others (Leon, Konda, Klaussner, Jones, Caceres and Coates, 2009). Existing data also show variation in the trend and incidence of the infection across geographical regions in the United States and is the highest among sexually transmitted infections, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). Analysis of published data on the infection over the decade from the year 1999 to 2009, for instance, indicated a prevalence rate of 6.8 percent among teenagers above thirteen years (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). The same report identified adverse effects of the infection, such as “infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain” among women. The CDC also identified possible intervention measures that can be taken against the infection. These include maintaining a person’s level of immunity as well as reducing the probability of mother-to-child transmission of infection during childbirth in cases where the mother is infected at the time of delivery. The CDC study an increase in reported cases from the first quartile in the year 2000 to the second quartile in the year 2009. The reported also noted that the rate of infections also increased by 5% for the years, 2009 and 2010. The Center for Disease Control (2011) reported almost 1,308,000 cases with a prevalence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 individuals for 2010. This is an indicator of the need for initiative to monitor and control the spread of the disease. A program in Wisconsin serves as an example of a constantly increasing trend over the past decade. It can also serve as a predictor of the constantly increasing trend of the infection. The prevalence that was reported at 304 per 100,000 individuals in the year 2000 shows a generally increasing trend that reached a record of 368 per 100,000 persons in the year 2009. The same increasing trend by gender existed in reported cases that also identified higher prevalence rates in women than in men. For example, in the year 2000, less than 4,000 men reported the infections in Wisconsin, while the number of reported cases among women was more than 12,000. The same trend in vulnerability by gender was observed in the year 2009 with 9,317 more cases being reported among women than among men (Wisconsin, 2010). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010), there is a direct correlation between the Chlamydia trachomatis infection and age. According to this CDC report, higher vulnerability existed between two age groups: those between 15 and 19 years, and those between 20 and 24 years. The prevalence rates in men were notably higher between 20 and 24 years than between 15 and 19. Women have higher prevalence rates than men in the age group between 15 and 19 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). The trend reported in the year 2010 continued in the CDC report in 2011. The prevalence rates between the age groups from 15 to 19 years and between 20 to 24 years were the highest. The 15 to 19 years age group reported a rate of 3,378 cases per 100,000 individuals, while the group between 20 and 24 years reported a rate of 3,407 cases per 100,000 individuals. The age group of 20 to 24 years reported a higher rate of infection among men (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). A research conducted by Kucinskiene, Suitaite, Valiukeviciene, Milasauskie and Domeika (2006) found. Higher higher risk factors associated with the youthful age group that is sexually active, especially adolescents. Other research findings show ethnicity as a determinant in the incidence and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections across age groups. One study in San Francisco identified extremely high prevalence rates among blacks, followed by Hispanics, and the lowest rates among Asians (San Francisco Health Improvement Initiative, 2012). In another study that investigated Chlamydia trachomatis infections among sexually active women in Pacific Northwest, the researchers found that, among whites, Hispanics, and blacks, the blacks reported the highest frequency of 10 percent, followed by Hispanics who reported a frequency of 6 percent, with whites reporting a lower frequency of less than 5 percent (Singh, Fine and Marrazzo, 2011). This consistency in susceptibility to the Chlamydia trachomatis infections by ethnicity is therefore widely reported, though with varying percentages. A research on the risk factors for the infections in Alaska also identified the black and Native Alaska ethnic groups to be the most vulnerable (Locke, McLaughlin and Jones, 2010). Similarly, research by Ginnocchio et al that explored the infections’ prevalence in the United States identified the highest vulnerability among the blacks (Ginnocchio, et al, 2012). Lawton et al. also identified significance of ethnicity in the infections incidence, in their bid to investigate the infections among expectant women (2004). There is, however, a significant difference in the infections’ incidence across regions or states. Reported statistics for the year 2007 indicates a high rate of 745 per 100,000 individuals, in Mississippi, and a rate of 156 per 100,000 individuals in New Hampshire (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). It is important to note the similarities in the CDC 2010 and 2011 reports that reflect the differences in prevalence rates based on regions. Problem Statement Cases and prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis disease has persistently increased in Miami Dade. Several researches have been conducted about this topic as counteractive measures but less impacts are noted. The available literature identifies ethnicity and age as primary risk factors for contagion and transmission of chlamydia trachomatis disease. This knowledge is essential for targeting potentially vulnerable populations for awareness, prevention, and services available diagnosis and treatment. The lack of such information is an obstacle to controlling Chlamydia trachomatis infections especially in multiethnic communities where culture-sensitive approach is essential for effective healthcare delivery. Despite these studies that have effectively identified ethnicity, age and race prevalence has continued over the past few years due to lack of awareness. This research seeks to determine awareness and knowledge of Chlamydia trachomatis among identified vulnerable population in a multiethnic community. Purpose of the Study This research will investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among teenage girls, 15-18 years of age in a multiethnic community in South Florida and the incidence among different racial/ethnic groups. The study will also attempt to determine awareness of the disease and the girls’ knowledge about the process of getting infected, the transmission, and consequences of being infected by this disease. Nature of the Study The study is a phenomenology study that aims at investigating the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis amongst. The intended purpose of the study will be achieved through reviewing the literature available in order to identify the academic gap has led to increased prevalence of Chlamydia trichromatic in Miami Dade. The data collected from the review will help in determining proactive strategies and policies that if adopted will help reduce the incidence of the disease especially amongst the minority aged between 18 and 24 years. Being a phenomenological study the situational knowledge established will be effective in designing such policies that will help reduce such escalated prevalence rates. The data will be secondary gathered both online and in publication mainly from the CDC. The analysis of the data will be based on the need to ensure that this catastrophic disease is reduced. Research Questions Since no published research is available that provides information regarding the correlation between age, ethnicity, and Chlamydia trichromatic infection in Miami area, the present research investigates the topic with the help of following research questions and hypothesis: The study will explore the following research questions: 1. What are the major causes of escalated prevalence of Chlamydia trichromatic infection in Miami Dade 2. How can the research help create awareness of Chlamydia trichromatic infection in Miami Dade to reduce the increased incidence 3. What measures can Miami residence take to ensure reduced prevalence of Chlamydia trichromatic infection Theoretical Framework The study uses the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the best theoretical framework for explaining the relationship that exist between background factors, HBM perception of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs) and STDs testing, and the total number of STDs test completed. STDs testing among the sexuality active young women is key in preventing and controlling the STDs epidemic. In addition, STD testing is critical since infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea are primary asymptomatic in women. Therefore, HBM is key theoretical framework in this study to help the researcher understand the relationship between the routinely test for STDs so as to reduce the facilitation of the spread of Chlamydia trachomatis which is the purpose of this study thus reducing the serious sequelae. HBM will help the research explore socio-demographic, psychological and health-related factors that may be associated with young individuals (18-24) STDs behaviors. Definition of Terms Incidence: Incidence refers to the rate of occurrence of an event. In the research, it implies reported cases of infection. Prevalence: Prevalence refers to the property of general occurrence and represents the density of incidence. Minority ethnic groups: This defines ethnic groups whose populations are small as compared to populations of other single ethnic groups. Adolescent girls: Defines a youthful age, from about 11 years to 19 years but will, in this study, refer to the age group between 16 and 20 Assumptions There is assumption that the phonological research findings will help reduce the incidence of this disease. Another assumption is that the data gathered from the literature review are relevant and can help meet the intended research purpose. The researcher assumes that HBM offers the best theoretical framework to explore the study. The paper is also embedded on the assumption of validity and reliability of the phenomenological study method as effective in uncovering the topic of the study. Limitations Possible limitations to the dissertation include inaccurate information by the respondents in the surveys, especially with respect to participants’ history regarding the infection and social behavior. Challenges with the dissertation committee such as differing opinions and unavailability of the committee members to supervise the research process were another set of limitations. The study also anticipates challenges in data collection and in maintaining participants’ confidentiality in the final report. This is because primary patients’ data are strictly protected by legal provisions and ethical provisions protect confidentiality in reporting research findings (Staunton and Chiarella, 2007; Streubert and Carpenter, 2010). Significance of the Research The high and generally increasing prevalence rate of the infections, with time, also identify concerns over whether such a trend is due to increased screening or increasing rates of infections (CDC1, 2011). While one may consider enhanced screening as an advantage, increasing rates of the infection presents a point for worry. Etiological and risk factor responsible for such infection therefore needs evaluation on a timely basis and the regional healthcare policies must be then molded accordingly. The present research is significant to both the city’s general population and the healthcare policy makers. This is because it establishes a basis for making informed healthcare policies for a healthier population. Its identification of factors that affect prevalence of the infection in Miami, and the relative significance of each factor, will particularly influence precise policies to address the infections. Identification of the factors’ significance will also create public awareness towards self-initiated behavioral change. It therefore develops a basis for the infection’s prevention and treatment policies and social control measures. In addition, the study will help increase awareness amongst the victims and those not already infected and thus help reduce through prevention and cure. The policies that will be formulated from these findings will enable the policy makers to tailor services to Hispanic race and female residents that are majorly affected and thus help reduce the higher costs of treatment and increased productivity amongst the treated. Transition Statement Background information that identifies significance of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the society, and the need for an empirical research towards understanding the infection’s scope at regional levels therefore establishes the need for literature review into an empirical study. Reference Latino, A., et. al. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in young women in North-West of Italy. Minerva Ginecol, 60(1), 29- 37. Lawton, B. et al. Rates of Chlamydia trachomatis testing and Chlamydia infection in pregnant women. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 117(1194), 1- 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). STDs in adolescents and young adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats10/adol.htm Read More