Social Determinants of Health and the Chain of Infection Assignment

Social Determinants of Health and the Chain of Infection Assignment

Social Determinants of Health and the Chain of Infection Assignment

Read the five domains of social determinants of health here: https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health. What are they, and how do they affect the development of disease? Describe the chain of infection. What are some ways community health nurses can break this chain? Provide specific examples.

Social Determinants of Health and the Chain of Infection Sample

The socioeconomic and environmental factors affecting individual and community health outcomes are social determinants of health (SDOH). According to Spruce (2019), these determinants shape people’s birth, growth, living, working, and aging situations at several levels of operation. Economic Stability, Education Access and Quality, Health Care Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Social and Community are the five main dimensions of social determinants of health. Knowing these factors is essential to understanding how diseases evolve and interact with the chain of infection.

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The Chain of Infection: The infection chain is a conceptual model that depicts the sequence of events required for an infection to propagate. The six links that generally make up the chain are the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of entry, mode of transmission, and susceptible host. Every connection offers a chance for action to break the pattern and stop the spread of contagious illnesses.

Infectious Agent: The pathogen that causes disease is known as the infectious agent (Williams, 2020). Social factors have an impact on the frequency and spread of infectious diseases. For instance, living in close quarters, typical in areas with uncertain economic situations, might make it easier for respiratory illnesses like influenza or tuberculosis to spread.

Reservoir: Reservoirs are settings that allow infectious organisms to survive and proliferate. Waterborne illnesses like cholera can thrive in poorer communities due to poor sanitation and restricted access to clean water (Williams, 2020).

Portal of Exit: The path via which the infectious agent departs the reservoir is known as the portal of exit. Delays in obtaining medical attention can allow the infectious agent to escape the reservoir and disseminate to other people in regions where access to healthcare is limited. Transportation access and economic stability may have an impact on this delay.

Mode of Transmission: According to Chisari et al. (2020), the term mode of transmission describes how an infectious agent spreads from one host to another. Social determinants, such as illiteracy, can fuel false information regarding preventive measures, resulting in inadequate control over the spread of disease. By giving precise information about immunization schedules and good cleanliness routines, a community health nurse can significantly contribute to people’s education.

Portal of Entry: The infectious agent enters a new host through a portal of entry. Environmental factors can raise the chance of exposure to and entry for infectious agents, including vector-borne diseases carried by pests, such as poor living conditions in some communities.

Susceptible Host: An individual at risk of infection is the susceptible host (Chisari et al., 2020). Social determinants affect vulnerability by affecting factors like healthcare access. People living in remote areas may encounter obstacles to immunization, increasing their vulnerability to diseases that vaccination can prevent.

Community health nurses play a crucial role in interrupting the spread of illness by considering social determinants of health. They can participate in community education programs to raise awareness and foster an understanding of preventive measures. For instance, a nurse working in a low-income area can host hygiene workshops that stress the value of cleanliness and handwashing as ways to stop the spread of contagious diseases. Community health nurses can also support policies that deal with socioeconomic issues. This can entail lending support to projects to provide affordable housing, pushing for better resources for education, and working with neighborhood associations to expand economic prospects in the neighborhood.

An intricate relationship exists between the chain of infection and social determinants of health. Identifying and addressing socioeconomic determinants is crucial to breaking the chain of infection and stopping diseases from developing and spreading within communities. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, community health nurses significantly contribute to establishing healthier settings and promoting long-term beneficial health outcomes.

References

Chisari, E., Krueger, C. A., Barnes, C. L., Van Onsem, S., Walter, W. L., & Parvizi, J. (2020). Prevention of infection and disruption of the pathogen transfer chain in elective surgery. The Journal of Arthroplasty, 35(7), S28–S31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2020.04.049

Spruce, L. (2019). Back to basics: Social determinants of health. AORN Journal, 110(1), 60–69. https://doi.org/10.1002/aorn.12722

Williams, T. (2020). Breaking the chain of infection. Journal of Perioperative Practice, 30(4), 83–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750458920914256