Community Needs and Health Screening Initiative

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Table of Contents

Theory or Conceptual Model
Population Screening Purpose
Location/ Setting
Screening Activity
Cost
Summary
References

Health screening plays a pivotal role in detecting diseases and implementing preventive measures for various populations. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection affects one’s immune system and can lead to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (Capasso et al., 2019). Therefore, it is particularly important to perform routine check-ups for individuals at a higher risk of this condition. In 2019, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (n.d.) recommended an HIV screening process for all pregnant persons. This essay aims to discuss HIV infection screening in pregnant African American women in Minnesota and apply the theory of planned behavior to the suggested community intervention.

Theory or Conceptual Model

Various health promotion theories and conceptual models are available to clinicians aiming to support communities’ well-being and reduce disease rates. For the selected initiative, the theory of planned behavior appears to be the most relevant to guide the program and encourage African-American women to get checked regularly (USPSTF, n.d.). The central idea behind this framework is that society, the environment, and people’s attitudes toward certain phenomena or actions determine their behavior (Abamecha et al., 2019). This theory applies to the proposed initiative because it addresses such problems as bias, stereotypes, and social stigma regarding HIV in the African American community in Minnesota, the U.S. Currently, adverse attitudes toward HIV and screening as a process can be found among the identified population (Lynch & Johnson, 2018). However, as a result of altered social norms, a positive attitude can be developed in public, resulting in people’s awareness of the problem and increasing the number of screenings.

Population Screening Purpose

The selected topic is part of the recommendations that can be found under the A preventive screening list. According to USPSTF (n.d.), “clinicians [should] screen for HIV infection in all pregnant persons, including those who present in labor or at delivery whose HIV status is unknown” (para. 13). Numerically, the two crucial components related to the African American community in Minnesota are insufficient treatment and increased risks of developing an AIDS (Abamecha et al., 2019). Statistics show that the target population is more vulnerable to HIV due to a lack of screening, cultural differences, and social factors such as racism, stigma, and barriers to healthcare and education (Lynch & Johnson, 2018). Young women aged between 20 and 40 are at particularly high risk of developing the disease and passing it to a child if left undetected (Abamecha et al., 2019). The location of the population for this initiative is Minnesota, the United States.

The local population needs that need to be screened include all expecting women. Overall, there are approximately 49.2% of females in the county (African American population,” 2022, para. 2). The age of the African American patients in need of check-ups is between 18 and 45 years, which means a total of about 100,000 people needs to be screened (African American population,” 2022, para. 3). The factors that would impact the check-up process include people’s attitudes toward the initiative, funding, and compliance with recommendations.

Location/ Setting

The selected location for the community event and screening procedure is the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. This facility is popular, well-equipped, and located in an area where many African Americans reside, which makes this choice justified for meeting the initiative’s goals. Furthermore, the screening event will occur on 11/19/22-11/20/22 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to ensure that most people can attend it in their free time over the weekend.

Screening Activity

The screening activity plan is based on the USPSTF’s recommendation to test pregnant persons for HIV infection to minimize the associated risks. The educational component of this procedure aims to raise people’s awareness of the need for screening and to address the problem in a timely manner to prevent adverse consequences for the mother and the child. Blood or saliva screening is involved in measuring antibodies or antigens in the sample (Abamecha et al., 2019). The healthcare provider’s task is to draw blood from the patient’s veins and transport it into the lab for analysis. It is essential to ensure a sterile environment and instruments to prevent the spread of infections. Thus, the tests are aligned with guideline recommendations as they allow to detection of HIV in pregnant persons and measure normal and abnormal ranges (Siuki et al., 2019). Moreover, professionals need to be available to provide educational information to patients regarding HIV and preventive measures.

The following three outcomes are suggested for the screening:

Increased awareness of HIV’s impact on one’s health and pregnancy complications. This outcome is affected by the provider’s ability to provide relevant information.
Reducing HIV and AIDS rates in African American communities in Minnesota, particularly in females. This goal can be impacted by patients’ compliance with healthcare recommendations.
Obtaining statistical data for further research in the selected population. This outcome should be ensured by social workers who can compare data in different social groups.

Cost

Expenses	Cost
Testing instruments	$85 per person (~50 people)
Staff costs	$20 per person (4 people)
Rental cost (wards, laptops)	$70
Supply costs	$50
Attendee cost	$0
Total	$4450

Summary

To conclude, the suggested initiative focuses on HIV screening in pregnant African American women in Minnesota. This procedure is important as it can benefit not only the selected population but society as a whole by reducing stigma, decreasing HIV-associated risks, and educating individuals regarding their health and well-being.

References

Abamecha, F., Tena, A., & Kiros, G. (2019). Psychographic predictors of intention to use cervical cancer screening services among women attending maternal and child health services in Southern Ethiopia: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-9. Web.

African American population. (2022). Minnesota Compass. Web.

Capasso, A., DiClemente, R. J., & Wingood, G. M. (2019). Pregnancy coercion as a risk factor for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among young African American women. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 82(2), 155-161. Web.

Lynch, N. G., & Johnson, A. K. (2018). Congenital HIV: Prevention of maternal to child transmission. Advances in Neonatal Care, 18(5), 330-340. Web.

Siuki, H. A., Peyman, N., Vahedian-Shahroodi, M., Gholian-Aval, M., & Tehrani, H. (2019). Health education intervention on HIV/AIDS prevention behaviors among health volunteers in healthcare centers: An applying the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(4), 582-588. Web.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). (n.d.). A & B recommendations. Web.

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