Today we discussed a wide range of topics from public health to HIV.
Alicia Lashley discussed the importance of public health and how it is essential to keep communities safe. We discussed the various ways to inform the public of different healthcare issues, including getting vaccinated for TB. We also learned about the social determinants of health and how certain factors affect people’s access to healthcare. Education, socioeconomic status, age, gender, community, and environment affect how people seek healthcare and its quality. For example, if someone lives in a densely populated urban slum, they are at high risk for respiratory disease and poor nutrition. However, these people may not be able to take off from work or may not view their healthcare as a primary concern. Additionally, they may be unable to access healthcare due to a lack of transportation. All of these SDoH have a substantial effect on people’s ability to seek healthcare and the quality of healthcare they seek.
We also looked at different approaches that countries and communities could take to try to win back the trust of civilians when it is lost, and educate particular groups that may need more information on specific topics. We discussed how to provide medical care to people in hard-to-reach places and the importance of spreading evidence-based information. All of these strategies are part of public health.
Next, we discussed the sobering topic of FGM and how it affects girls all across the world. Female circumcision is something that is done to girls and young women and usually has to do with cultural reasons. Sometimes, if women live in an unsafe area, daughters will fall victim to this so it makes it harder to rape them. This is a very eye-opening topic, as we do not think it is relevant in places like the UK and the US, even though it is illegal. However, these girls will travel to have these procedures done, and they will believe it will make them fit in with the other women in their culture. We learned about particular instances where it is so ingrained in their brain that female circumcision is routine because other members of their family experienced it, and their friends were experiencing it. Therefore, they do not stop the cycle. It also causes various health problems, including increased urine retention, increased risk of UTIs, excessive bleeding, impaired wound healing, and even sometimes death. However, because it is a cultural norm to some girls, they do not realize this procedure harms them. We also learned about the different types of FGM and the preventative measures that are being implemented to try and stop it.
After lunch, we discussed mental health nursing with Jonathan Gadsby. He discussed how history and circumstances affect mental health, and how we need to take a holistic approach to mental health by analyzing biopsychosocial factors. Additionally, we cannot rely on medication and drugs for mental illness, and we need therapy to work through issues. He brought up an interesting topic that there is overmedicalization of mental health, and sometimes we need to focus on the person and not their diagnosis, but instead, what is contributing to it.
We also discussed HIV and the stigma around it. It was interesting to see that not all HIV patients fit the stereotype, and that there is a lot of stigma and psychological effects that impact these patients. I found it interesting that some people still do not want to be treated for HIV because of the stigma around it, and that many people will not tell others they are infected due to the stigma surrounding it. The laws in the UK are interesting for HIV, as healthcare specialists are not allowed to tell other people of the diagnosis without the patient’s permission, including their primary physician (excluding those who may be infected).
We finished up with a beautiful dinner with the faculty and students at BCU!
