Infectious Disease Paper
Epidemiological studies help in determining the prevalence of given health issues, the distribution, and the risk factors. The epidemiological triad constitutes the processes involved in the infection transmission and so helps in guiding the best approach to break the infection cycle. The current study focuses on Condyloma acuminatum disease, its epidemiology, the associated determinant of health, and the role of registered nurses in infection prevention.
Epidemiology of Condyloma acuminatum
Condyloma acuminatum is also known as genital warts is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The condition occurs among a group of people with an anogenital HPV infection and it manifests as plaques on the external genitalia. According to Pudney et al. (2018), the human papillomavirus is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases, especially among sexually active adults. The low-risk HPV strains, 6 and 11, are the main cause of the Condyloma acuminatum infection. The prevalence of Condyloma acuminatum high among people with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, the prevalence of the disease among men who have sex with other men is estimated at 20%. Furthermore, women aged between 15 and 49 years are at high risk of developing the Condyloma acuminatum. Furthermore, the viruses can be transmitted through the microtrauma in the skin or the mucous membrane. People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of getting Condyloma acuminatum. Alternatively, poor hygiene is also a major risk factor for the contraction of the disease. Regular use of condoms can reduce the risk of infection; though, the outcome is not guaranteed (Clanner-Engelshofen et al., 2020).
Condyloma acuminatum is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse. Although, the non-sexual routes such as the fomites could also lead to the infection. The symptoms associated with the disease include small painless growth in the vagina, anus, or penis. The patients could also have itching or bleeding from the anal regions. On the other hand, internal genital warts may be difficult to notice. Furthermore, the proper examination must be done to differentiate the Condyloma acuminatum from secondary syphilis. The treatment options for the disease include the administration of cryotherapy and surgical excision.
Demographic Breakdown
Condyloma acuminatum is mainly common among adult populations aged between 18 and 59 years. Furthermore, men are more likely to have genital warts compared to women. The risk of getting the disease is high among men having sex with other men. The study by Condyloma acuminatum (Genital warts) (2019) reported that the prevalence of Condyloma acuminatum among men and women being between 2.3% and 8.6% and 1.5% and 8.0% respectively. Furthermore, women who receive the HPV vaccine are less likely to develop genital warts.
Determinant of Health
The determinants of health include the factors influencing the risk of developing Condyloma acuminate. In this case, the key determinant of health for the disease include age, sex, and lifestyle. The younger populations below 15 years are assumed to be sexually inactive and so have a reduced risk of developing Condyloma acuminatum as per the Healthy People 2020 goals. On the other hand, sexually active adults have an increased risk of acquiring the infection. Furthermore, men have an increased risk of getting the diseases as compared to women because of the effect of the HPV vaccine.
Behavioral patterns have a significant impact on the risk of developing Condyloma acuminatum. People with multiple sexual partners are more likely to acquire the HPV infection. People from low economic status are less likely to seek medical interventions or even afford the medication costs and so may have poor health outcomes from the disease.
Epidemiological Triad
The infection cycle depends on three factors as defined in the epidemiological triad. The three elements include host, agent, and vector. The hosts harbor the disease while the agents are what cause the disease. On the other hand, the vector includes elements or bodies that carry the agent and transmit them to the host. In this case, the human body is the host. The HPV invades the genital lining or membranes. The host’s defense against the virus depends on the intact and the integrity of the cellular immunity. The main cells involved in fighting the virus include the Natural Killer and the T-cells. The definitive hosts for the virus in
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