Components of an Effective Control Strategy - Essay Example

Components of an Effective Control Strategy1. Briefly describe the problem indicating the “burden disease” including the morbidity, mortality, and changes that have occurred in recent years.Sexually transmitted diseases have been a persistent problem in all societies. However, some sexually transmitted diseases are more prevalent than others are and therefore pose a greater health problem to the society. Unlike most of the sexually transmitted diseases, Chlamydia is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease.

It is indeed the most common form of bacterial diseases that are transmitted sexually in Canada. Evidence supports that although Chlamydia has been on the decline for long, the rates of recent infections has increased tremendously (Health Canada, 2006). Chlamydia is often referred to as the “silent disease” simply because half of the infected males and approximately 70% of females do not show any symptoms. This also makes the disease to spread swiftly. Although the symptoms may not appear until after some time, the health effects of chlamydia are serious hence necessitating need for prompt curative measures.

According to Health Canada, almost 40% of women infected with Chlamydia are likely to contract other diseases such as pulmonary infection diseases, infertility, ectopic pregnancies among others. Women may have premature births. Men on the other hand may experience urethra infections or infertility. Eye conjunctivitis is also a prevalent complication associated with chlamydia (Health Canada, 2006).2. Briefly describe the course of the disease or condition using the concepts of incidence, prevalence, and case fatality.

If these concepts are not relevant to your subject, explain what they mean and why they are not relevant.It is claimed that Chlamydia is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases not only in Canada but in the whole world as well. For instance, more than one million Americans are infected with the disease (Patrick, 1997). Trends indicate that the effects of chlamydia have declined over the years. For example, approximately 15% of eye problems were attributed to Chlamydia in mid 90s.

However, the percentage is said to have dropped to less than 4% in 2000. Chlamydia conjunctivitis is synonymous with chlamydia and affects even infants during pregnancy (Health Canada, 2006). The prevalence has decreased tremendously and it is hoped that by the year 2020, Chlamydia conjunctivitis will be fully controlled. Approximately half of all infants will be born with chlamydia if the mother was infected. 3. Identify at least two risk groups (those with and increased probability of developing and/or experiencing bad health Use the concept of risk to describe their probability of developing the condition or specific disease(s) relative to a low risk group.

The highest infection rate occurs among young adults between 18 and 24 years. This is attributed to the increased rate of unsafe sexual activities. The death rate from Chlamydia and chlamydia related infections stands at 5% to 10%. It is worth noting that although the mortality rate is low, blindness resulting from Chlamydia conjunctivitis results to almost nine million blind cases in America alone (Patrick, 1997). Additionally, women are at a higher risk of experiencing higher order complications because up to 70% will have the disease without the symptoms.

Therefore, there is a great probability of Chlamydia triggering pelvic inflammatory diseases that affects the delicate internal organs especially the fetus. Ectopic pregnancy associated with Chlamydia is a good example of complications that happen to women (Patrick, 1997).ReferencesHealth Canada. (2006). Chlamydia. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/chlamyd-eng.php Patrick, D. (1997). Public Health Agency of Canada. Chlamydia Control: Components of an Effective Control Strategy to Reduce the Incidence of Chlamydia Trachomatis.

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. 6 (2).