Building On Your Prior Project Preparation Assignments

Building on your prior project preparation assignments, you will go a step further to analyze the specific health challenge for your humanitarian aid trip by crafting a short paper

Building on your prior project preparation assignments, you will go a step further to analyze the specific health challenge for your humanitarian aid trip by crafting a short paper. Note that you should cite at least three scholarly sources from your investigation. The evidence should not be older than five years. To access the Shapiro Library Guide: Nursing—Graduate, go to the Start Here section of the course. Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

• Analyze the nature of your selected health challenge, including clinical presentation, prevalence, and inequities among different groups.
• Describe other determinants of health, including environmental and biological factors.
• Identify any current policies related to the health challenge.

Your short paper must be a 2- to 3-page Word document, excluding the title page and references. It should be formatted according to APA standards, with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. All references must be cited in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The selected health challenge for this analysis is malaria, a vector-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria remains a significant public health concern, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting vulnerable populations such as children under five and pregnant women. This paper explores the clinical presentation, prevalence, disparities, determinants, and policies related to malaria, with a focus on its implications for a humanitarian aid trip in a malaria-endemic region.

Clinical presentation of malaria typically includes fever, chills, sweating, headache, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to complication such as anemia, cerebral malaria, organ failure, and death if untreated. The etiology involves infection with Plasmodium species, predominantly P. falciparum in high-endemic areas, characterized by cycles of fever and chills corresponding to parasite replication within red blood cells. Symptoms often begin 10 to 15 days after mosquito bite, but incubation periods may vary based on species and immune status (WHO, 2023).

Prevalence data indicate that malaria affects over 200 million people annually worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing approximately 94% of cases and deaths (WHO, 2023). In endemic regions, prevalence rates can reach up to 50% among certain populations, especially in rural communities with limited access to prevention and treatment. Studies have shown that children under five and pregnant women are most at risk, with morbidity and mortality rates considerably higher in these groups (Nawa, Halwindi, & Hangoma, 2020). Trends over the past decade highlight a gradual decline in malaria incidence due to improved control measures, but the disease persists as a major health burden, particularly in areas with weak healthcare infrastructure.

The inequities associated with malaria are significant, particularly along socioeconomic, racial, and gender lines. Lower socioeconomic status correlates with increased exposure to malaria due to inadequate housing and limited access to preventive tools such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Racial and ethnic disparities are prominent in regions with social marginalization, impacting access to healthcare services and effective treatment (Deutsch-Feldman et al., 2018). Gender disparities also exist; in some settings, women and children have less access to prevention and treatment services, increasing their vulnerability to severe disease outcomes (Jumbam et al., 2020).

Beyond social factors, environmental and biological determinants further influence malaria transmission. Environmental determinants include climate variables like temperature and rainfall, which affect mosquito breeding and survival. Poor sanitation, standing water, and deforestation contribute to mosquito proliferation, exacerbating transmission risks. Biological factors involve host immunity, genetic traits such as sickle cell trait, which confers some resistance to malaria, and parasite characteristics that influence virulence and drug resistance (Kobayashi et al., 2019).

Current policies aimed at malaria control include widespread distribution of ITNs, indoor residual spraying, prompt diagnosis and treatment, and community education programs. International agencies and governments also promote integrated strategies combining prevention, treatment, and surveillance. Nonetheless, gaps remain in policy implementation, especially in rural and resource-limited settings, where healthcare infrastructure deficiencies hinder effective intervention coverage (WHO, 2023). Strengthening health systems, securing funding, and fostering community participation are critical for enhancing policy impact.

In conclusion, malaria exemplifies a complex health challenge with clinical, social, environmental, and policy dimensions. Effective intervention requires a multifaceted approach that addresses disparities, enhances healthcare infrastructure, and promotes sustainable policies. For humanitarian aid efforts in endemic regions, understanding the detailed landscape of malaria’s impact enables targeted and culturally sensitive strategies, ultimately reducing disease burden and improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

References

• Deutsch-Feldman, M., Hamapumbu, H., Lubinda, J., Musonda, M., Katowa, B., Searle, K. M., ... & Moss, W. J. (2018). Efficiency of a malaria reactive test-and-treat program in southern Zambia: a prospective, observational study. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 98(5), 1382.
• Jumbam, D. T., Stevenson, J. C., Matoba, J., Grieco, J. P., Ahern, L. N., Hamainza, B., ... & Achee, N. L. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes and practices assessment of malaria interventions in rural Zambia. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-15.
• Kobayashi, T., Kanyangarara, M., Laban, N. M., Phiri, M., Hamapumbu, H., Searle, K. M., ... & Moss, W. J. (2019). Characteristics of subpatent malaria in a pre-elimination setting in southern Zambia. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 100(2), 280.
• Nawa, M., Halwindi, H., & Hangoma, P. (2020). Modelling malaria reduction in a highly endemic country: Evidence from household survey, climate, and program data in Zambia. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 11(1).
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Fact sheet about malaria. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria