HEPATITIS
The target population for this disease management tool is the marginalized groups in Sierra Leone a west-African country. The region is the world leading with the rate of infection of the disease as reported by (Layden et al .2014). New virus strains have also been proven to have emerged within the region making it the most suitable target population to use the study tool. The region suffers more exposure to the virus and the rate at which the disease is transmitted. Some traditions and cultural practices within the region increase the exposure risks. These practices include the circumcision of both boys and girls as a cultural tradition; the practices involve the use of unsterilized cutting equipment which fosters the increase in spread among the initiates. The identification of this region as the target population was due to it’s under development especially on the health sector. The country lacks the resource base to enable it to curb the spread of the disease among its citizen. The main challenge is lack of social resources such as the goodwill and social groups focusing on disease eradication campaign to the centrally some social practices such as the initiation of the youths. The environmental setup of these groups also remains a challenge the groups targeted by this study tool are so marginalized. These locations lack good transport infrastructure to transport pregnant mothers to the hospital for safe delivery. Due to this, therefore, the locals are forced to use middle wives during delivery which exposes the risk of the child contracting the disease from the mother.
This study tool will, however, be used by all the age groups in the locality. The aged who are suffering from the disease will be advised on how they can live a healthy life and extend their lifespan through the use of a balanced diet. The elders will be advised on the risks of the traditional practices undertaken in the region which increase the exposure to the disease. The middle-aged especially the women at the childbearing age will be advised on the requirement to undertake to ensure that they don’t spread the disease to their unborn children. The youth on their part are at the highest risk; this is because of high engagement in drug use as well as sex activities. The young generation, therefore, needs to be enticed on the importance of practicing safe sex and reduce the misuse of drugs. The tool is aimed at containing the spread of the disease within the locality.
Treatment
Hepatitis C disease offers a great health threat to the patient; this is because of lack of a vaccine to control the contracting of the virus unlike with other forms of hepatitis. However, there is various mean through which the disease can be treated and controlled. Among the main adopted means of treatment is the use of antiviral drugs. These drugs inhibit the spread of the virus within the liver and are aimed at eliminating the virus from the body.
Another approach is the use of traditional herbs. Various traditional herbs have been proofed to be effective when treating and managing the disease. Some traditional herbs that have been used for the treatment include, acupuncture – this is a Chinese tradition approach to treating the disease although it hasn’t been proven by the medics as a safe approach. Another approach is the use of milk thistle; this has been proven to have properties which boost the livers health thus facilitating the disease management.
The most advanced approach to treating the disease is undertaking a liver transplant. The practice is advised to the patient at the late stages of the disease which makes it irreversible. Transplant is the most effective approach to treating viral disease. However, the treatment is very expensive. Liver transplant eliminates the disease from the body.