The major concern of the US healthcare sector is the gradual improvement of the health of the nation via the elimination of the main causes for the deterioration of people’s state and education that might help individuals to engage in healthy behaviors. However, despite this focus, there are still many issues that should be solved because of their negative impact on the state of populations. For instance, in accordance with the latest statistics, Zika virus is taken as one of the dangerous pathogens that might result in critical consequences (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). The situation is complex, as in the USA there are cases of this disease, which means that there is a fundamental need for the introduction of an appropriate prevention program that will help to improve the situation, reduce the incidence, and guarantee that no similar cases will appear in future. Under these conditions, community education and prevention program should be taken as a potent tool to improve the health of communities.
A critical part of education is the improved understanding of the background of the problem and why it remains topical. Zika virus (ZIKV) is a dangerous pathogen that is spread by daytime-active mosquitoes (WHO, 2018). Since its discovery in 1947, ZIKV has turned into a serious threat to global health, and today, the epidemic can be noted (WHO, 2018). The central problems associated with the virus is dengue, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, and other complications associated with alterations of body temperature (WHO, 2018). Additionally, the ZIKV can be transmitted through sexual contacts and bold transfusions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.). It can precondition the appearance of multiple undesired effects and be dangerous to pregnant women. For this reason, the main aspects of community education should include the emphasis on these factors and the provision of information to members in ethical and understandable ways.
The first and the most important principle of healthcare ethics that should be allied regarding the situation is autonomy. It states that all offered procedures or interventions should contribute to the increased independence of clients and their improved decision making. That is why patients should understand the benefits and risks of any issue that is discussed. Regarding the situation with Zika virus, the educational program should remain voluntary for all people and contribute to the improved level of knowledge among them with the primary aim to achieve the desired goal (Musso & Gubler, 2016). Prevention is one of the most effective ways to struggle against the disease. For this reason, observing the principle of autonomy, healthcare workers will be able to include wide populations and do not violate their basic rights.
The second critical idea is the application of the principle of non-maleficence. Any procedure or services should not harm involved patients or other members of the community (WHO, 2018). That is why Zika virus educators should operate with the idea that they cause no harm to the target population by explaining the basic principles of prevention and contraception (Musso & Gubler, 2016). At the same time, regarding the existence of multiple ethical concerns related to the questions of sex and blood transfusion, as one of the possible ways of ZIKV spread, the use of the principle of non-maleficence should mean that any kind of educational activity should not be used in offensive or unacceptable ways. It also preconditions consideration of religious and cultural peculiarities of various communities with the primary goal to select the most effective ways to explain the main threats associated with the virus and how they can be avoided.
Finally, the principle of integrity should be utilized while designing programs for struggling against Zika virus in various locations. The given model presupposes that all aspects of the discussed issue are taken into consideration when creating a specific approach that is expected to help to improve the community’s health (Musso & Gubler, 2016). From this perspective, it becomes fundamental to guarantee that all themes and questions, including financial aspects, are covered by educational programs and given specific attention. In many cases, integrity contributes to improved outcomes because of the ability to create a new environment deprived of knowledge gaps related to various aspects of particular diseases. For this reason, while speaking about ZIKV, specialists should be ready to create approaches promoting the improve understanding of all existing factors.
Altogether, the problem of Zika virus cannot be disregarded as today the situation is described as the epidemic. The appearance of new cases in various regions of the world precondition the need for the creation of effective community education and prevention programs. They should rest on the principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, and integrity to be accepted by wide populations and contribute to improved results among various groups. The given framework will help to achieve the desired goals and ensure the reduction of incidence. Accepting the fact that prevention is one of the best possible ways to struggle against ZIKV, the given programs acquire the top priority as the most potent tool to promote the health of the nation and protect people from various factors that have the negative impact on them.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Protect yourself & others. Web.
Musso, D., & Gubler, D. (2016). Zika virus. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 29(3), 487-524. Web.
World Health Organization. (2018).Zika virus. Web.