Descriptive Epidemiology Literature Review of GHP

Descriptive Epidemiology Literature Review of GHP
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Descriptive Epidemiology Literature Review of GHP
Human African Trypanosomiasis
HAT Description
Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also referred to as the sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic illness than is triggered by the microscopic pathogens belonging to the genus, Trypanosoma, species, brucei. HAT is termed as trypanosomiasis because if falls under the diseases caused by the parasites Trypanosoma. Furthermore, Trypanosoma brucei is divided into two human pathogenic subspecies namely T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense (Berger, 2016). The two pathogens are known to cause different extracellular pathogens, both of which are classified as causative agents of HAT, although they are considered as tow deferent illness as well as different clinical patterns, epidemiological as well as different patient care approaches (Berger, 2016).
In particular, the humans are affected by two types of f trypanosomiasis, namely Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, parasites which are named based on their geographical location (Berger, 2016). The former has high pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and transmitted by the tsetse fly whereas the latter is found in Latin America and transmitted by triatomine, also known as the kissing bag (Berger, 2016).
The symptoms vary depending on the stages of the infection. The early stage is known as hemolymphatic stage, whereby the patient experiences, Painless skin chancre, recurring fever, muscle joint pain as well as facial edema (Media Centre , 2017). At the second stage, known as the neurologic stage or the last stage, patients are characterized by untiring headaches, seizures, wasting syndrome, loss of appetite, weight loss as well as daytime somnolence followed by nighttime insomnia (Media Centre , 2017).
Definition of HAT
African trypanosomiasis is a termed as a Global Health Problem due to its danger and prevalence in around the globe in the last 3 decades especially in Africa and Latin America (Media Centre , 2017). The disease has has been confirmed in 36 nations in the Sub-Saharan Africa. As much as there are no single cases of the illness recorded in the United States, historically, the illness has been a serious global health problem (Media Centre , 2017). To ascertain this, CDC confirmed that currently approximately 100, 000 new cases of sleeping sickness are recorded by the World Health Organization, (WHO). However, there are other numerous undocumented cases or undiagnosed (Media Centre , 2017).
Causes of HAT
As aforementioned, HAT is caused by two parasitic protozoa, both of which belongs to the parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Tsetse fly (Glossina) is the sole vector which spreads the illness through bites (Hasker & Lutumba, 2012). In other words, HAT is transmitted from on human to another trough the tsetse fly bites, an insect that is highly concentrated in the bushy and rural part of Africa (Hasker & Lutumba, 2012). Also, the disease can be transmitted from an infected mother to child during birth as the pathogen can cross the placenta via the blood and reach the baby on in the womb. However, Very minimal infections are attributed to mother-child through blood or to another human through sexual activities (Hasker & Lutumba, 2012).
Factors Associated With HAT
A research on the risk factors of HAT was carried out in 105 patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo by Laveissiere, De Muynck, and Duoa, the findings that factor such age, gender, patients’ history, the nature of the locality and weather pattern determines the prevalence of the illness (Mumba & Bohorquez, 2011). The findings were gathered and assessed through standard questionnaire. From the findings, it was noted that the most vulnerable population included were those living by the forest and bushy region in the DRC. Especially, the Congo forest ha dense canopies of tree and this creates a perfect environment to harbor the tsetse flies (Mumba & Bohorquez, 2011). Relatedly, coffee, and corn farmer have been a largely affected group as there are highly exposed to tsetse flies in the plantation. In addition, based on earlier epidemiological surveys, the community living in the rural DRC are more susceptible than the urban population as the former are constantly fetching water in natural holes and pools have and firewood in the woods hence high risk (Mumba & Bohorquez, 2011). Concerning gender, both men and women proved to be equally vulnerable to the diseases as they are equally exposed to the tsetse flies’ infested regions. In the rural part of DRC men would visit the forest hard cattle, hunt or cultivate as women would fetch waters and firewood around the forest regions. According to the research conducted by, Davies, males aged between 30 and 50 years most affected than women and children (Media Centre , 2017). Concerning the weather patterns, the region record highest rates of infection in the hot and wet season, as this conditions favors intensive reproduction of tsetse flies (Media Centre , 2017).
Epidemiological Triad
Population Affected by HAT
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the targeted population because the WHO has considered this region as the highly vulnerable to trypanosomiasis compared to other African countries (Mumba & Bohorquez, 2011). A case study conducted in Buma, a rural area in the N’sele health district in DRC, by the N’sele health care found out that the population in Buma, like other rural areas near the forest is equally affected. According WHO, HAT caused a loss of approximately 0.5 million disability to the DRC rural communities betw...