Millennium Development Goals and Communicable Disease Prevention Research Paper

Introduction

From the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a precursor to the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations (UN) has been instrumental in steering society towards a more equitable and sustainable future. The transition from MDGs to SDGs was informed by the need to adopt a more holistic approach that leaves no one behind. Unlike the MDGs established in 2000, which primarily focused on social aspects, the SDGs adopted in 2015 were expanded to cover a broader range of issues, including economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

The MDGs are linked to the mitigation and treatment of communicable diseases (CDs). For example, goals 1 and 2 aim to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and achieve universal primary education, which, if not addressed, can lead to the spread of communicable diseases. The DNP essentials align with this assignment by highlighting the need for sectors to collaborate, integrate clinical knowledge, and rely on evidence-based practice to advance health outcomes at the population level. This paper aims to explore the correlation between the MDGs and CDs.

Goal 1 & 2: Eradicating Hunger and Poverty to Reduce Communicable Diseases

Hunger and poverty are two issues linked to the burden of CDs. Exacerbated by destitute conditions, poor health outcomes (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). For example, chronic hunger can increase stress levels and weaken the immune system, which may make people from low socioeconomic settings more susceptible to acute respiratory infections and other serious illnesses. Poverty also breeds conditions that accelerate the spread of CDs, due to high-density housing and the inability to access medical facilities and care, which, in turn, amplify the spread of infections in the population faster than in more affluent areas (Sahasranaman & Jensen, 2020).

In this case, deplorable conditions and sanitation make it easier for pathogens to spread (WHO, 2023). This explains why communicable illnesses, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and measles, are common in impoverished communities. The DNP essential of integrating scientific underpinnings into practice aligns with this MDG, as it advocates for evidence-based approaches to address the determinants of health. Thus, healthcare professionals can leverage scientific knowledge to inform their practice and contribute to research aimed at eradicating food insecurity and financial distress, and improving living conditions at the population level.

Poverty can adversely affect children’s education because they may not be provided with basic hygiene. When families experience financial difficulties, the situation often leads to parental neglect. As a result, most children are likely to arrive at school with dirty teeth and clothes. A report shows that 72% of school staff reported seeing pupils affected by poor hygiene experiencing low self-esteem and mental health problems (Busby, 2023). Diminished self-confidence can lessen children’s ability to learn, focus, and take risks (Alghamdi et al., 2023).

Poor hygiene can also make them withdraw from school because uncleaned uniforms and unpleasant body odor can make them easy targets for bullies. DNP nurses often focus on population health, which may entail understanding and addressing social inequalities. This viewpoint could be useful for universal education, which aims to provide equitable, high-quality schooling. DNP-graduated nurses can engage in scientific research to identify and address factors contributing to academic inequalities.

Goal 3 & 4: Promoting Education and Hygiene for Child Health

There is a positive correlation between increased maternal education and improved hygiene practices, which can reduce the transmission of infectious diseases and child mortality. Research shows that educational level significantly influences good hygiene practices (Taddese et al., 2020). The authors indicate that literate mothers are 2.12 times more likely than their uneducated counterparts to practice handwashing regularly. This finding suggests that hygiene training can help reduce the incidence of contagious diseases.

This MDG aligns with the DNP essential, which emphasizes the need to synthesize clinical prevention and population health concepts to improve the nation’s health. The goal is to prioritize health education, which might support clinical prevention efforts to promote health and reduce risk behaviors, such as poor food-handling and sanitation practices, that contribute to CDs. In this case, training can empower women to make informed decisions about their children’s health and hygiene. Basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands with soap, properly laundering clothes, and safely disposing of child feces, can help prevent infections like diarrhea and cholera, thereby reducing child mortality (WHO, 2023).

Additionally, when mothers understand proper breastfeeding, food handling, and nutrition, they can protect their young ones from getting deadly diseases such as diarrhea, especially when access to clean drinking water is limited (WHO, 2023). DNP-trained professionals can use their clinical expertise and public health information to implement preventive measures and improve population health, thereby reducing the burden on a state due to CDs. Thus, this DNP essential is highly relevant to this goal because its contribution can impact overall health outcomes.

Goal 5 & 6: Improving Maternal Health by Combating HIV/AIDS and Malaria

HIV/AIDS and malaria pose a considerable threat to maternal health. In this case, there is an increased risk for expectant women living with HIV to infect their children during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. This may have adverse effects on newborns, including increased infectious morbidity and mortality, as well as decreased growth (Chilaka & Konje, 2021).

In addition, due to the suppressed immune system, HIV infection exposes pregnant women to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, as well as other sexually transmitted illnesses, including syphilis, hepatitis B, and genital herpes, among others (Chilaka & Konje, 2021). These diseases increase the risk of miscarriages, low birth weight, and stillbirths, and can also lead to maternal mortality. Alternatively, during pregnancy, malaria can trigger maternal anemia, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth, which may lead to neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality (Chua et al., 2021). Thus, HIV and malaria have severe negative impacts on maternal outcomes.

Combating malaria, HIV/AIDS, and other ailments can considerably enhance maternal health. Regarding malaria, prevention and control approaches such as distributing treated bed nets and administering intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine can protect pregnant women from the disease and reduce the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal health outcomes (Figueroa-Romero et al., 2022).

On the other hand, HIV testing, care, and treatment may avert mother-to-child transmission, leading to better outcomes. This MDG coincides with the DNP’s framework of inter-professional collaboration. Multidisciplinary partnerships can offer the comprehensive care needed to address HIV and malaria. For instance, a partnership among physicians, nurses, social workers, policymakers, community health workers, and other health experts can increase access to effective antenatal care, testing, treatment, and follow-up care for affected women, thereby improving maternal outcomes.

Goal 7 & 8: Addressing Environmental Factors to Prevent Disease Transmission

Open defecation, slum dwellings, and limited access to water are environmental factors that expose individuals to CDs. Open defecation pollutes the ecosystem with fecal matter, which may contribute to the spread of illnesses such as typhoid, hepatitis A, dysentery, and cholera (Kanungo et al., 2021). Alternatively, slum dwelling is strongly associated with poor sanitation and a lack of clean water, which exposes inhabitants to parasitic, respiratory, reproductive tract, and gastrointestinal infections (Kanungo et al., 2021).

Conversely, limited access to drinking water often leads to the consumption of unsafe water, increasing the risk of waterborne illnesses such as typhoid, diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery (Kanungo et al., 2021). Hence, poor sanitation and inadequate access to safe water often trigger the transmission of CDs.

Different strategies can be used to mitigate the threats posed by infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the interventions may require the collaborative efforts of governments, local communities, global agencies, and non-governmental groups. Improving sanitation infrastructure through the construction of latrines and sewage systems can enhance hygiene and thwart the transmission of CDs. In addition, increasing access to clean, safe water by constructing wells, treating water, and developing water purification networks can reduce the incidence and prevalence of communicable illnesses.

Similarly, providing health education to affected communities can raise awareness of the importance of proper sanitation and better hygiene. Integrating clinical prevention into practice is fundamental in reducing the dangers of infectious diseases. In this case, DNP nurses can partner with affected populations, relevant authorities, and other health professionals to build or improve sanitation facilities, promote proper hygiene, and increase water supply to ensure access to clean water.

Conclusion

Accomplishing the MDGs requires dealing with the roots of communicable diseases, which are poverty, gender inequalities, HIV& AIDs, malaria, and environmental factors. In this case, when food insecurity and destitution of people in low-income backgrounds are eradicated, problems, such as low immunity and limited access to care, can be addressed. This can lower respiratory illnesses and improve health outcomes in the community.

Additionally, when mothers are educated on proper hygiene, this can ensure their children feel confident to pursue education and reduce mortality rates. Similarly, conducting regular testing and offering preventive treatment modalities can improve maternal health. Equally, increasing access to proper sanitation and safe water can reduce the adverse impacts of infectious diseases. When MDGs are adopted, they can build healthier communities and lead to better health outcomes.

References

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