Human Papilloma Virus in Teens Essay

Teenagers in the United States are becoming sexually active at an earlier age and have more exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the leading causes of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States (Center for Disease Control, 2012), and the age group with the highest prevalence of HPV are teenagers. With the growing number of teenagers exposed to HPV, the incidence of cervical cancer is increasing in the US. The study of epidemiology focuses on the interventions and preventions available to decrease the prevalence and incidence of HPV, cervical cancer, and genital warts in teenagers. This paper will evaluate the role of epidemiology in HPV by utilizing the epidemiological triangle, methods and types of epidemiology, the population affected, and the levels of prevention in the HPV disease. â€Å"Epidemiology is the study of populations in order to: monitor the health of the population, understand the determinants of health and disease of communities, and investigate and evaluate interventions to prevent disease and maintain health† (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Epidemiology is a science that includes both infectious and chronic diseases and influences clinical medicine and public health through research. Epidemiology focuses on evidence-based practice and the outcomes are utilized to guide a change in practice. The influence of the research is community wide and focuses on the services provided in the community. The purpose of epidemiology is to find the causes of disease, the prevention of morbidity and mortality, and to predict the occurrence of disease in the populations at risk. Nurses use epidemiology as a data tool in designing, implementing, and evaluating the health problems in the community (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Human Papilloma virus is the primary cause of sexually transmitted disease among teenagers and can result in co-morbidity such as cervical cancer and genital warts. Research has indicated that the vaccines available are effective in the prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts caused by HPV. HPV in teens can be affected by lack of education about safe sex practices, and the lack of access to healthcare facilities executing medical screening. Legal consideration involving vaccine administration, in the state of Tennessee, is parental consent. The public health nurse can play a role in the community by advocating and communicating with government officials for the vaccine to be required for entrance into school. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention have significant implications towards HPV management, cervical cancer, and genital warts. Prevention of HPV through education, screening, and vaccinations is the most effective technique to decrease the prevalence and incidence cervical cancer, and genital warts in teenagers.