Tuberculosis in New Ham, London: A Research Project

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Research Project
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Acknowledgement
I sincerely express my heartiest gratitude to my mentor, Mr. /Ms. _ for their support and
guidance in carrying out the research project. I am thankful to my friends and family members
for their encouragement and motivation without which the research would have been incomplete.
The project enlightened me regarding the bereavement associated with death of the close ones
and the impact of it on the lives of individuals.
Date:
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Abstract
The present study emphasizes on the patients who are diagnosed with tuberculosis and their
difficulties in their lifestyle, the treatment processes and the mental stress they go through on a
day-to-day basis. A research proposal is presented with proper specifications and methodologies.
A research dairy and analysis is also provided for examining the relevancy of the data.
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Chapter 1
Research Proposal
Tuberculosis is a spreading disease in New Ham, London. It is contagious and can create
epidemic if not tackled efficiently and instantaneously. It is caused by bacteria and can highly
affect the functioning of the lungs.
Contributing factors
The chosen research project would mostly signify a detailed investigation into the various
sources and scrutinizing relevant data and information for analyzing the factors associated with
the occurrence of the contagious disease of Tuberculosis. Here, the discovery of the new facts
and figures and their interrelationships with the old data through a scientific mode of research
should be undertaken. The main goal of the research is to analyze the problem thoroughly and
thereafter develop strategies in order to resolve the issue (Boulware et al., 2016). This facilitates
to identify the needs to improve the condition of the people in New Ham so that they can attain a
healthy lifestyle. The knowledge gained has to be further distributed to various fields which
would help in increasing the awareness levels among the individuals. The different policies and
provisions implemented by the government agencies can further alleviate the spreading of the
disease. Every person is needed to further reflect on their daily lifestyles and should discard any
harmful substance abuse if consumed.
It is the responsibility of the government and other health divisions to gather information about
the disease and their recovery processes. Consequent implementation of the necessary actions
can lead to completely dissolve the problem (Lönnroth et al., 2015). Elderly healthcare and
improvement of mental weaknesses will also play crucial role in other health issues that affect
the residents of New Ham.
Outlining the specifications
In the chosen research project, the issue of tuberculosis affecting the localities of New Ham has
to be taken under consideration. Therefore, the questions based on this research are provided as
follows:
● How does the disease of TB spread among the public of a region and what are the
symptoms?
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● Are there any side effects to the drugs used by TB patients?
● What kind of societal pressure and embarrassment the patient goes through?
The aim of the research is to identify the solutions to the disease of TB and make the country of
United Kingdom significantly reduce its impact. To achieve this, proper training and detailed
analysis are required to be completely familiar with the disease and thereby remove it completely
by understanding the root causes behind its origin. In addition, the objectives that must be set by
the country and its fellow citizens are to formulate strategies for alleviating the problem through
socially acceptable techniques and economically viable processes.
The rationale behind the administering of drugs and other behavioural approaches is to benefit
the society from being victimized by the disease of tuberculosis in the future times. There must
be well-defined vision and mission for taking actions against TB. It is necessary to identify the
intimate contacts of the persons who already possess the bacteria and coming further close to
them can make another individual more prone to the disease (Senkoro et al., 2015). Hence, the
already contracted individuals must be placed in health care centres and treated in a secluded
manner so that the infectious disease does not affect the other patients.
Research Methodology
Methodology is the process of involving various tactics and ways to gain clear insights regarding
certain topics so that they become easy to be tackled and consequently removed if required. Here
the topic that has to be researched is Tuberculosis, which is significantly affecting the health of
many individuals. To take suitable actions, the primary objective would be to critically analyze
the origination of the infection, how it spreads and what are the effective methods for eradication
of the same (Floyd et al., 2018). Thus, the concepts include theoretical methodologies, designing
of the research, ethical models of analysis, data and resource collection, as well as ensuring the
reliability factor of the gathered data. For this study, both qualitative and quantitative research
methods will be employed. The qualitative research methodology would help the research being
focussed on the behavioural patterns and case studies whereas the quantitative methodology
would give clarity through statistics and other figure based analysis.
The ethical analysis is a process of simplifying the ethics and morality aspects of the processes
undertaken and the results achieved. This mode of analysis is wholly dependent on logical
objectives and argumentative mannerisms. The code of conduct and the principles incorporated
do not violate the morale of the research. This process is therefore beneficial for developing
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decisions, which do not hamper the morality of any individual. The theoretical approach helps in
explaining the present circumstances and thereafter develops unique strategies, which further
challenges the present followed methodologies.
Appropriate plan
To develop best possible strategies and subsequent results, it is crucial to make logical planning
and procedures as per the methodologies stated above. A time based plan further benefits in
achieving the targets in specific deadlines and hence prevent in stretching the implementation
period for too long. This technique helps in meeting the goals with ease and a prompt manner.
The planning processes thus involves giving clarity to the objective chosen, collecting relevant
data based on the requirements of outcomes for both primary as well as secondary research
prospects (Craig and Zumla, 2015). Citing a literature review is also a part of the plan in order to
attain the objectives and the goals mentioned in the project. Choosing appropriate tools and
tactics to bring out more effectiveness in the results is another important factor that has been
taken under consideration. Analyzing all these factors and creating a draft is yet another step
before deciding the submission process. Hence, it can be affirmed that planning is detrimental for
the execution purpose of any project such as the goal is to eradicate Tuberculosis from New Ham
of London. It would help in deciding in advance about the processes that are to be implemented
and the timeframe within which it has to be completed.
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Planning of the Research Project
Activities Week
2
Week
4
Week
6
Week
8
Week
10
Week
12
Week
14
Week
16
Wee
k 18
Week
20
Research
topic

Determining
the aims
and
objectives of
the research
project

Developing
the
literature
review
  
Performing
qualitative
research

Conducting
quantitative
research
 
Evaluating
qualitative
research
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Evaluating
quantitative
research
 
Obtaining
the result of
the project
 
Formulating  
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the final
report
Table 1: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by the learner)
Resources required
Elaborate research materials are necessary for carrying out the research and analyzing process.
These resources can be tools, which provide sufficient data and information regarding the disease
of tuberculosis and its impact on the health of the human beings. Basic information will be
gathered from materials, which deal with observations and experimental process of evaluating.
Survey processes and analytical data play a key role in defining the strategies that are to be
implemented for attaining highest success in the eradication process of the mentioned disease.
Brochures and materials published by well-known authors and other researchers will act as
resource materials for undertaking this research project.
Questionnaires and interview sessions of physicians, doctors, analysts as well as patients would
help in better quality of the research. The interviews help in understanding the symptoms of
Tuberculosis and the drugs that are being used if possesses any harmful side effects. The
reliability of the study wholly depends on the quality and the quantity of research material used
during the entire process of researching.
Literature review
The disease, tuberculosis has been known to primarily affect the lungs and thereafter spread to
different parts of the body and make the patient totally bedridden and involuntary. According to
O'Donnell et al., (2016), in some cases, it can even lead to death. The infection can be
categorized into two parts, which are latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis. Although the
latent stage would be easy to cure as the bacteria remains in a passive mode and concentrates
only on a single body part but the active stage is complex as the bacteria spreads to different
organs of the body and makes the individual substantially weak. The most common symptom
present in the patients of tuberculosis is unnatural and rigorous coughing which happens due to
the infection being spread in the lungs.
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The bacteria associated with the disease are released into the air by the coughing process of an
already affected individual. The same air when breathed by a healthy individual, due to the
contamination rate, the person easily is contracted with the disease. Thus, in this manner,
tuberculosis spreads in an entire locality and affects majority of the individuals. Treating
innumerable patients would be more complicated than curing a single affected person. As per
Siroka et al., (2016), the bacteria get exposed to the air in times like sneezing, singing or talking
and even through cough droplets.
The mostly visible symptoms of the Tuberculosis affected individuals vary from chest pain,
weight loss, fatigues, fever and unnecessary sweating.
When the latent infection is converted to active ones, and yet left untreated can result in death of
the patient. The disease mainly comprises of four stages like initial macrophage response, growth
process, immune control stage and lastly lung cavitations stage. Hence, the affected individual
gradually loses the physical strength and endurance level and until he reaches the last phase, it
becomes highly evident to be admitted to the hospital. Pulmonary tuberculosis sometimes loses
its impact in the primary stage but in most cases, it is found to return with more aggression.
The side effects interrelated with the drugs consumed during the retrieval stage of a patient
affected by tuberculosis comprises of prolonged fever for weeks or more, pain in the lower
portion of the abdomen, irritated patients due to itchiness in the whole body as well as formation
of rashes. The skin or the eyes may turn yellowish due to the impact of the medicines, fatigue
and brownish urine. Severe side effects include suicidal thought processes, hallucinations,
dizziness throughout the treatment period and even the eyesight can get impaired. Though these
factors can be alleviated with the help of Vitamin B6, they still hold the power to lower the
strength of the patient such that the doctors prescribe complete bed rest.
The tests associated while identifying the presence of the bacteria of Tuberculosis is attained by
undergoing skin test. Other tests would also include X-Rays which locate the impact of the TB
bacteria. Blood tests and sputum tests are other methods of ascertaining that the patient has
contracted tuberculosis. Most of the time the patients ignore all these tests assuming the
symptoms are mild and will get cured automatically. Senior citizens are the individuals who
contract this disease and they do not feel the importance to visit the doctor. Therefore the latent
infections turn to active disease which gets troublesome to be eradicated in the later stage.
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The basic reason why most of the tuberculosis patients are left untreated is the fact that they feel
embarrassed of coughing in public places uncontrollably. As mentioned by Stillo, (2015), their
presence creates disturbance in the lives of other individuals as most of the people are unaware
of the disease and do not give an importance to the symptoms. Some patients do not find any
symptoms but are said to be diagnosed with the infection. There is a feeling of shame present in
the patients of tuberculosis, as they feel inferior among others due to the contagious factor of the
disease. More often, they tend to keep quiet and excuse themselves to less crowded places as
talking or laughing will make colleagues, family and friends to contract the disease. As many old
and elderly people are found to be victimized by the disease, they get mistreated by their children
who do not like their parents to be around them. Therefore, the older patients are shifted to
lonely places and not looked after or provided the minimal first aids. These kind of isolating
tendencies make the sufferers more vulnerable to other forms of ailments and thus recovery
looks vague to them. Relatives and society sever their ties with the contracted individual who
thereafter tends to lose all financial as well as mental support systems.
The psychological patterns become more violent in the patients as they become angry and violent
in short span of time and therefore the family members get disturbed due to this kind of irrational
behaviour. Some medications also heighten the stress and anxiety levels of the patient who
therefore feels more anxious of dying. This kind of depression even hampers the patients who are
going through treatment procedures.
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References
Boulware, L.E., Cooper, L.A., Ratner, L.E., LaVeist, T.A. and Powe, N.R., 2016. Race and trust
in the health care system. Public health reports.
Craig, G.M. and Zumla, A., 2015. The social context of tuberculosis treatment in urban risk
groups in the United Kingdom: a qualitative interview study. International Journal of Infectious
Diseases, 32, pp.105-110.
Floyd, K., Glaziou, P., Zumla, A. and Raviglione, M., 2018. The global tuberculosis epidemic
and progress in care, prevention, and research: an overview in year 3 of the End TB era. The
Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 6(4), pp.299-314.
Lönnroth, K., Migliori, G.B., Abubakar, I., D'Ambrosio, L., De Vries, G., Diel, R., Douglas, P.,
Falzon, D., Gaudreau, M.A., Goletti, D. and Ochoa, E.R.G., 2015. Towards tuberculosis
elimination: an action framework for low-incidence countries. European Respiratory
Journal, 45(4), pp.928-952.
O'Donnell, M.R., Daftary, A., Frick, M., Hirsch-Moverman, Y., Amico, K.R., Senthilingam, M.,
Wolf, A., Metcalfe, J.Z., Isaakidis, P., Davis, J.L. and Zelnick, J.R., 2016. Re-inventing
adherence: toward a patient-centered model of care for drug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV. The
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 20(4), pp.430-434.
Senkoro, M., Hinderaker, S.G., Mfinanga, S.G., Range, N., Kamara, D.V., Egwaga, S. and van
Leth, F., 2015. Health care-seeking behaviour among people with cough in Tanzania: findings
from a tuberculosis prevalence survey. The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung
Disease, 19(6), pp.640-646.
Siroka, A., Ponce, N.A. and Lönnroth, K., 2016. Association between spending on social
protection and tuberculosis burden: a global analysis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 16(4),
pp.473-479.
Stillo, J., 2015. 'We Are the Losers of Socialism!': Tuberculosis, the Limits of Bio-citizenship
and the Future of Care in Romania. Anthropological Journal of European Cultures, 24(1),
pp.132-140.
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