Discussion 5

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Herzing University *

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Medicine

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Jan 9, 2024

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Discussion 5, week 5 My issue: Tuberculosis in South Africa (Global issue) Introduction your issue to include the origin, relevance, and current states of your issue both within the United States and globally. Tuberculosis (TB), a significant infectious disease, has existed in human society since the Neolithic period, as evidenced by paleopathological studies on ancient skeletal remains. While traditionally believed to have a zoonotic origin from cattle, recent biomolecular research suggests that human TB likely originated from humans (Buzic & Giuffra, 2020). Furthermore, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the infectious agent that causes tuberculosis (TB). Though it can also affect other body parts, it primarily affects the lungs. When a person who has tuberculosis of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or speaks, the illness is contagious through the air (Scheunemann et al., 2023). In South Africa, tuberculosis (TB) is a severe public health issue. The high prevalence of HIV, which compromises immunity and increases susceptibility to TB, is resulting in one of the highest TB rates in the world in the nation. The World Health Organization estimated 360,000 tuberculosis cases in South Africa in 2019 (Scheunemann et al., 2023). Describe your personal view regarding the tuberculosis and defend your view with evidence or personal experience. The elimination of tuberculosis (TB) is a severe public health concern that calls for coordinated efforts. I base my opinion on the knowledge that tuberculosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated. However, it still contributes significantly to morbidity and death on a global scale, especially in low- and middle-income nations. I have never had tuberculosis firsthand. However, through my research, I now have a good understanding of the difficulties this illness presents. The stigma that accompanies tuberculosis can result in prejudice and social exclusion. The study participants talked about how their TB status led them to become disregarded by their communities. Furthermore, the stress of having a chronic illness and the worry of a TB recurrence can have a significant psychological effect. The study brought attention to the despair and anxiety that TB survivors go through (Scheunemann et al., 2023). What additional information do you believe needs to be shared with the public to better inform and align stakeholders? There is still a substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB patients and prevention initiatives. Patients with tuberculosis are more susceptible because of the possibility of misdiagnosis and treatment delays brought on by the overlap of TB and COVID-19 symptoms. Furthermore, the pandemic is resulting in TB patients receiving less social assistance, which has an impact on their ability to get food, cash support, and other essentials. TB services have been disrupted due to the redirection of resources towards the COVID-19 response, underscoring the necessity of integrated health services. These services should efficiently handle COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) with enhanced follow-up care, treatment, and diagnostic capabilities. It suggests that stakeholders support tuberculosis (TB) services to guarantee continuity even in times of health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate social assistance, such as financial aid and access to food and other necessities, should be provided to TB patients and their households. Encouraging integrated health services is essential to managing COVID-19 and tuberculosis effectively (Vanleeuw et al., 2022).

What do you believe is the biggest roadblock to achieving public consensus regarding the issue? There are several challenges in achieving public consensus on tuberculosis (TB). However, the biggest roadblock can be identified as follows: A public consensus on tuberculosis (TB) faces several obstacles, one of which is the issue of the need for more social assistance available to TB patients and their households. More aid may result in higher susceptibility and adversity, impeding patients' compliance with treatment plans and the general public's comprehension of the gravity of the illness. The COVID-19 pandemic may have taken resources and attention away from tuberculosis, but socioeconomic factors like unemployment, poverty, and the lack of resources all contribute to the situation's complexity. Due to the public's divided attention, this shift in focus may make reaching a consensus on tuberculosis more challenging (Vanleeuw et al., 2022). Buzic, I., & Giuffra, V. (2020). The paleopathological evidence on the origins of human tuberculosis: A review. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 61 (1 Suppl 1), E3- E8. https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.1s1.1379 Scheunemann, A., Moolla, A., Mongwenyana, C., Mkize, N., Rassool, M., Jezile, V., & Evans, D. (2023). The lived experiences of Tuberculosis survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic and government lockdown in South Africa: A qualitative analysis. Research Square , 23(1),1726. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2857896/v1 . Vanleeuw, L., Zembe-Mkabile, W., & Atkins, S. (2022). Falling through the cracks: Increased vulnerability and limited social assistance for TB patients and their households during COVID- 19 in Cape Town, South Africa. Plos Global Public Health, 2 (7), e0000708. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000708

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Discussion 5

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