West Coast University Week 3 Salmonella Outbreak Discussion Paper

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Prompt 1:

Disease: Salmonella
Outbreak: In 2019, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry infected a total of 1,134 people across 49 states.

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the intestines. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water, or contact with infected animals. The incubation period of Salmonella is usually between 12 to 72 hours, and the signs and symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Treatment may not be necessary for healthy adults, but infants, elderly, and people with weakened immune systems may require antibiotics.

The outbreak occurred across several states in the United States, and over a thousand people were infected. To prevent its spread, it is recommended that people wash their hands thoroughly after handling live poultry, and avoid bringing them into their homes. Further recommendations could include stricter regulations on the sale and distribution of live poultry, and educating the public on the risks of handling them.

Responses to classmates and instructor:
– Did the outbreak primarily affect individuals who kept backyard poultry, or did it also spread through contaminated food sources or person-to-person contact?
– How effective are antibiotics in treating Salmonella, and what are the potential risks or complications of using them?
– Are there any potential long-term health effects for individuals who contract Salmonella, especially those with weakened immune systems?

Prompt 2:

The research instrument used in the study, the Health Belief Model, is a widely used theoretical framework in health education and promotion. It is designed to explain individual health-related behaviors and attitudes, and its validity has been supported by numerous studies.

However, some internal validity threats associated with this research instrument include the potential for social desirability bias, where participants may be inclined to provide responses they think are expected of them. External validity threats may include issues related to sample representativeness and generalizability of findings to other populations or contexts.

One strength of this research is its applicability to multiple health behaviors and outcomes, as the Health Belief Model can be used to investigate a wide range of health-related topics. Weaknesses may include its reliance on self-reported data, which may not always accurately reflect actual behaviors, and the potential for researcher bias in interpreting and analyzing results.

Based on these factors, one potential recommendation for future research would be to use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to complement and validate findings from the Health Belief Model. Additionally, efforts to address external validity threats could involve using more diverse and representative samples, as well as conducting comparative studies in different contexts or cultures.

Responses to classmates and instructor:
– What other theoretical frameworks could be used to investigate health behavior and attitude, and how do they compare to the Health Belief Model in terms of validity and reliability?
– How can researchers minimize social desirability bias in self-reported data, and what are some potential advantages and disadvantages of using alternative methods such as observation or physiological measures?
– Are there any ethical considerations involved in using the Health Belief Model or other research instruments in health promotion or education, and how can these be addressed?

Prompt 3:

As the pharmacist Dr. Katrina Lee, I made decisions such as reviewing the patient’s prescription history, educating the patient on proper opioid use and disposal, and providing naloxone as a backup in case of overdose. I did not change my answers in subsequent attempts at the scenario, but I did find it surprising how many different factors can influence a patient’s opioid use, from social and economic pressures to mental health and addiction issues.

As a public health professional, I can work with pharmacists on the opioid crisis by advocating for evidence-based policies and interventions that address the root causes of opioid addiction and overdose. This may include increasing access to alternative pain management options, promoting medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, and implementing prescription drug monitoring programs to prevent over-prescribing and diversion.

Additionally, public health professionals can collaborate with pharmacists to educate patients and communities on opioid risks, safe use, and disposal practices. This may involve developing and disseminating educational materials, conducting outreach and awareness campaigns, and training healthcare providers and staff on best practices for prescribing and dispensing opioids.

Responses to classmates and instructor:
– How can pharmacists balance their ethical responsibilities to patients with their legal and professional obligations to prevent opioid misuse and diversion?
– What are some potential barriers or challenges to implementing evidence-based interventions or policies to address the opioid crisis, and how can public health professionals and pharmacists work together to overcome them?
– How can public health professionals and pharmacists ensure that their efforts to address the opioid crisis are culturally responsive and inclusive of diverse communities and populations?