Program Planning Concept for Chlamydia: Social and Epidemiologic Assessment

Social Assessment of the Problem

This section focuses on the describing the target population in depth and contextualizing the health problem through providing:

1. A description of the target population’s demographics (population size, geographic boundaries, age and gender distribution, racial/ethnic makeup, etc.), and population characteristics that are particularly relevant to the health problem (i.e., income, poverty rate, occupation, unemployment, educational attainment, crime statistics, etc.); and

2. A quality of life and situational assessment that demonstrates the context surrounding the health problem.

3. Epidemiologic Assessment of the Problem, This section characterizes the extent of the health problem in terms of severity, and identifies contributors to the health problem. Using reputable data sources and peer-reviewed literature (articles, review articles, association reports or websites, governmental institution/centers data), this section presents:

A. Data on morbidity and mortality of your chosen health outcome; and

B. Behavioral, Environmental, Genetic, Prenatal, Biological, and Physiological Risk Factors, with a section dedicated to describing each (applicable) category of risk factors. (*You should begin to honest in on one or two key behavioral risk factors that will be targeted for change through the health promotion program.) 

2. This section identifies underlying factors that contribute to the behavioral risk(s), and subsequently, the health problem. You will identify a select set of underlying (Predisposing-Reinforcing-Enabling factors) factors that are important contributors to the health problem. This section includes:

1. A synthesis of predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors that are linked to the target behavior(s), a link which is *supported by relevant literature.

2. A Conceptual Model should be included in the Appendix and discussed in the narrative. This will visually illustrate:

3. Underlying Factors (i.e., predisposing, enabling and reinforcing);

4. Health Risks (i.e., behavioral, environmental, genetic, biological, prenatal, physiological factors); and

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the gram-negative bacterium chlamydia trachomatis and route of transmission is through vaginal, oral sex and infection from mother to fetus. People maybe symptomatic or asymptomatic, but untreated infection can lead to complication and substantial morbidity and even infertility.

Risk of having a chlamydial infection is directly correlated to the number of partners. Young females of ages 15-24 years and those who are sexually active are at increased risk of having infection for a combination of behavioral, biologic and cultural reasons. Although behavioral risk factors for chlamydial infections are similar to those of others sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) having multiple partners and not using condom consistently. Underlying factors that are associated with increased risk of infection are barriers to implement STI prevention services. For example, lack of transport, cost, lack of knowledge and perceived stigma.

In 2019, total 1,808,703 chlamydial infections were reported in the United States. The rate of increase was found to be around 2.9% in the year 2018. The annual cost in 2018 spent by American Health care system was approximately $16 billion.3 The main issue is that the risk of contracting such infection is not evenly distributed in US and African Americans particularly youths are at greater risk of infection.