Question

Briefly explain the transmission of tuberculosis. Discuss some of the risk factors for acquiring this disease as well as the social implications for infected individuals.

Given the risk factors mentioned above, what area(s) of prevention would you focus on if you were to start a public health campaign designed at halting the spread of tuberculosis? Please explain your reasoning in less than two paragraphs.

Answer 1

1 Tuberculosis is a highly communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• Transmission of tuberculosis is via the airborne route by droplet infection.
• When an infected individual coughs,laughs,sneezes or sings,droplet nuclei containing tuberculosis bacteria enter the air and may be inhaled by others.
• Identification of those in close contact with the infected individual is important so that they can be tested and treated as necessary.
• When contacts have been identified ,these persons are assessed with a tuberculin skin test and chest x-rays to determine infection with tuberculosis.
• After the infected individual has recieved tuberculosis medication for 2 to 3 weeks ,the risk of transmission is reduced greatly

2 Risk factors are

• children younger than 5 years of age.
• Drinking unpasteurized milk if the cow is infected with bovine tuberculosis.
• Homeless individuals or those from a lower socio economic group,minority group or refugee group.
• Individuals in constant ,frequent constant,frequent contact with an untreated or undiagnosed individual.
• Individuals living in crowded areas ,such as long-term care facilities,prisons and mental health facilities.
• Older client.
• Individuals with malnutrition,infection ,immune dysfunction or hiv infection or immunosuppressed as a result of medication therapy.
• individuals who abuses alcohol or is an intravenous drug user.

Long term objectives to reduce tuberculosis in the community to that level when it ceases to be a public health programme.The main aim willbe to detect maximum number of TB cases among the outpatients attending any hhealth institution with symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis and treat them effectively.Another aim will be to vaccinate newborns and infants with BCG and to undertake the above objectives in an integrated manner through all the existing health institutions .