NUR4636 – Community Health Nursing Case Study Chapter 7 Epid ✓ Solved

NUR4636 – Community Health Nursing Case Study Chapter 7 Epidemiology

The community health nurse is reviewing several epidemiologic research studies with student nurses that are beginning a 6-month community health rotation. Epidemiology offers community health nurses a specific methodology for assessing the health of aggregates. The nurse has requested that the student participate in a semester long epidemiologic research study.

1. Why is it important that community health nurses review epidemiologic research?

2. What are the seven steps that student nurses must consider when participating with the community health nurse in the epidemiologic research study?

3. The goals of epidemiologic investigation are to identify the causal mechanisms of health and illness states and to develop measures for preventing illness and promoting health. Epidemiologists employ an investigative process that involves a sequence of three approaches that build on one another. What are the three investigative approaches?

4. The community health nurse has been requested to figure out the prevalence rate and the incidence rate of influenza for a 1-month period of time. There were 1,000 students who reported flu-like symptoms during 1 month in a population of 5,000 students at the local community college, and during the same month, 500 individuals developed influenza. What is the prevalence rate and incidence rate?

Paper For Above Instructions

Community health nursing plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing public health concerns through epidemiological research. Epidemiology provides the framework through which community health nurses can assess, plan, and evaluate health interventions that address the needs of various populations. Below, we will explore the significance of reviewing epidemiologic research for community health nurses, identify the steps student nurses must take when engaging in such research, delineate the investigative approaches in epidemiology, and calculate the prevalence and incidence rates of influenza among a specified college population.

Importance of Reviewing Epidemiologic Research

Community health nurses are at the forefront of public health efforts, and reviewing epidemiologic research equips them with critical knowledge required for effective practice. Firstly, epidemiologic research identifies health trends, risk factors, and health disparities within populations (Kahn et al., 2020). Understanding these factors allows nurses to tailor interventions to meet specific community needs accurately. Furthermore, staying abreast of the latest findings in epidemiology ensures that community health nurses employ evidence-based practices (Holt et al., 2019). By applying research findings, they can directly influence health policy, create impactful public health education programs, and develop effective outreach strategies.

Seven Steps for Student Nurses in Epidemiologic Research

When participating with the community health nurse in an epidemiological research study, student nurses should consider the following seven steps:

  1. Define the Research Question: Clearly articulate the health issue that needs investigation.
  2. Review Existing Literature: Examine past research to gather background information and contextualize the new study.
  3. Choose the Study Design: Determine the most appropriate epidemiological study design (e.g., cohort, case-control, cross-sectional).
  4. Identify the Population: Define the aggregate group to be studied, considering inclusivity and representativeness.
  5. Collect Data: Utilize surveys, interviews, or health records to gather relevant data systematically.
  6. Analyze Data: Apply statistical methods to interpret the data accurately and identify patterns or correlations.
  7. Disseminate Findings: Share the results with the community and stakeholders to foster awareness and inform future practices.

Investigative Approaches in Epidemiology

Epidemiologists utilize a three-pronged investigative approach to examine health issues.

  1. Descriptive Epidemiology: This approach focuses on epidemics by analyzing the distribution of health-related states in populations. It involves summarizing data based on person, place, and time.
  2. Analytical Epidemiology: This involves examining the determinants of health problems. Here, researchers investigate associations between risk factors and health outcomes.
  3. Interventional Epidemiology: This approach aims to evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions. It studies outcomes following the implementation of health policies or programs.

Calculating Prevalence and Incidence Rates

To calculate prevalence and incidence rates of influenza among the student population, we use the following formulas:

  • Prevalence Rate: This is the total number of existing cases in a population at a specific time divided by the total population. In this case, there were 1,000 students with flu-like symptoms out of a population of 5,000.
  • Incidence Rate: This is calculated by dividing the number of new cases of the disease by the population at risk during a specified time period. Here, 500 new cases of influenza were reported among the same 5,000 students.

Using these formulas, we can calculate:

Prevalence Rate: (1,000 / 5,000) * 100 = 20%

Incidence Rate: (500 / 5,000) * 100 = 10%

In summary, community health nurses must review epidemiologic research to inform and enhance their practice—a necessity given the dynamic nature of public health. Student nurses can actively contribute to these research efforts by following a structured approach to investigation. Lastly, understanding how to calculate important epidemiological measures like prevalence and incidence rates can ultimately aid in effective public health planning and responses.

References

  • Kahn, S. M., Teal, R. J., & McCarthy, E. K. (2020). Epidemiology and Public Health Nursing. Churchill Livingstone.
  • Holt, N. R., Evans, C. & Chang, M. (2019). Evidence-based Nursing Practice. Wiley Blackwell.
  • Gordis, L. (2014). Epidemiology. Elsevier Health Sciences.
  • Beaglehole, R., Bonita, R., & Keller, A. (2015). Public Health at a Glance. Oxford University Press.
  • Szklo, M., & Nieto, F. J. (2018). Epidemiology: Beyond the Basics. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Last, J. M. (2012). A Dictionary of Epidemiology. Oxford University Press.
  • Rothman, K. J., Greenland, S., & Lash, T. L. (2012). Modern Epidemiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Manderski, M. B., & Germain, N. (2019). Community Health Nursing: A Commitment to Social Justice. Cengage.
  • Frumkin, H. (2016). Environmental Health: From Global to Local. Jossey-Bass.
  • McKenzie, J. F., Pinger, R. R., & Feerick, M. (2017). Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs. Pearson.

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