Qualitative Research Methods in Psychosocial Studies - Assignment Example

Qualitative research methods in psychosocial studies This paper gives us a better understanding of a sexually transmitted infection called Chlamydia. It entails the effects of the disease in one’s life, how it is diagnosed and how to treat and avoid it. This gives you an idea how big a problem it is in the UK and the things being done to combat the spread of this disease. The methodology of this paper is based on interpretive phenomenology which is bestsuited for the discussion of this paper. This has a more in-depth analysis of the phenomena (Chlamydia) than a descriptive phenomenology. It just doesn’t say the facts but has a deep analysis of the facts given. What is Chlamydia? Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted infection/sexually transmitted disease (STI/STD) caused by a very tiny bacterium. It is a very common STI/STD and the most common in the UK. Although young women are more likely to acquire it, it affects both sexes. It can be treated but it often shows no symptoms in both men and women. It can only be diagnosed when it has led to complications such as infertility1, proctitis2, trachoma3 and urethritis4. Though it can be treated, it might have already caused permanent damage since you symptoms often show up late. Symptoms Reports show that women who are infected with Chlamydia experience abdominal pain, which is oftentimes accompanied by fever, unusual vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding between periods and pain during urination. Almost the same with men who are infected, they experience pain during urination and discharge form penis. On the other hand, about three-quarters of women who are infected don’t have symptoms at all and about half of men who are infected don’t have symptoms as well. This is the very reason Chlamydia could be so dangerous. Asymptomatic5 patients do not seek medical treatment for they are not aware they have it. Thus, it could be passed on to others through sexual contacts. An infected mother can also pass the disease onto her baby during vaginal childbirth resulting into neonatal eye infection or pneumonia. Infected individuals can develop complications in time if remain untreated. Complications Chlamydia may result in pelvic inflammatory disease or PID in women. It is a severe complication that emerges as the number 1 cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancies. In men infections may lead to swelling in scrotum, which can be a symptom of epididymitis. Both symptoms may result to infertility. Proctitis and conjunctivitis6 are also complications of the infection. Due to symptoms caused by Chlamydia, infected individuals have greater chances of acquiring HIV7 (Human immunodeficiency virus) if exposed to the virus. Prevention Having a stable sexual behaviour could help prevent a person from acquiring the disease. A regular check up for women who are sexually active age 25 below and an annual screening for older women who have a new partner or with multiple partners will help prevent the spread of the disease. It is also advised that all pregnant women should undergo screening before giving birth since Chlamydia is also passed through vaginal delivery. Thus, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Chlamydia in the UK The disease is consistently growing in population affected by it. The National Chlamydia Screening Programme was started in 2003. Since then, a significant number of infected individuals have been unfailing to increase for over 80, 600 in the first two years, 112, 700 in the third year, 163, 159 in the fourth year and a jaw-dropping 343, 100 in the fifth year. Due to this alarming increase of infected individuals, the White Paper in England recently published its edition on the intention of the Department of Health to make the screenings more widely accessible to the public through making use of their community pharmacies. According to the White Paper, the DOH will also ask Strategic Health Authorities to make sure that pharmacies will be more accessible to the public. As per John Turk, the Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, "Community pharmacy is uniquely placed to provide Chlamydia screening - and many other services besides - because pharmacies are particularly accessible and convenient. 79% of people in Great Britain have a community pharmacy within two thirds of a mile of their home and 47% have one within 500 metres. Often open long hours they could be described as the original walk-in centres. Now that many have consultation areas where you can have a confidential discussion with your pharmacist I believe that people will be much better served in future and find community pharmacy their preferred option for Chlamydia screening." Community pharmacists are frustrated with the news that the NCSP only reached 1/3 of the population of those who should have it. The NCSP is continuously being firm on the vision the have the UK as a Chlamydia-free environment. This year, at least 17% of the population aged 15-24 will be screened. How Chlamydia affects one’s life? Given all the data above, there are still people who are not aware of this disease. According to NCSP, more than half of the positive individuals who were screened didn’t know about the disease. Others are aware of the term STD/STI but not Chlamydia. The complications of the disease will surely have a big impact in one’s life. What could they be? The disease can cause long-term effects on the individuals reproductive system, especially if remain undetected and untreated. It destroys the hairs (cilia) of the fallopian tubes in women. These hairs (cilia) are responsible for the movement of the egg cells from the ovaries to the womb. If this goes on, it will cause scarring and adhesion at first, and eventually, will cause complete blockage which causes infertility in women. A number of women suffer from ectopic8 pregnancy. Those who suffer from this can experience psychological disorders. Infertility or sterility is a major life-changing condition. Imagine yourself wanting to have kids in the future and then suddenly, you wake up one day knowing you cannot have it. This applies to both men and women. For women alone, with all these preventions being implemented by the government, such as NCSP, it is a must for all pregnant women to undergo such screening prior to giving birth. This is due to the possibility that the disease could be passed on to the baby which may require the mother to undergo a CS delivery, depending on the gravity of the condition. Chlamydia can be also transferred to the eyes through coughing a sneezing. Mothers who had a C-section might not be able to undergo a VBAC9 in the future. We all know how expensive it is to undergo a C-section. This is one of the effects of having Chlamydia when giving birth. The effects of Chlamydia in a man’s life may be a bit different from a woman’s. In men, the disease can cause epididymitis10. If this is remain untreated, it can caused sterility in men. This could be a traumatic condition with men, same with women, who won’t be able to have their own kids. Not just the condition of not being able to produce good sperm cells affects men, but the fact that they might infect their partner if they try to do so. The disease still lives in the body of the infected individual even if it already caused complications such as infertility or sterility. The disease did not develop “into” a complication but developed “a” complication. Thus, the disease still lives on. Another possible effect of Chlamydia to young men is the Reiter’s syndrome. There are a number of bacteria acquired through the digestive tract that are associated with Chlamydia. This includes Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia. Accordig to doctors, they still can’t figure out why there are some individuals who are exposed to these bacteria they are some who are not. They have classified those people who are more prone to this syndrome are HLA-B27 positive. About 80% of men who have Reiter’s syndrome fall under this gene. Being informed the about the do’s and don’t’s, the what and how and the where and why is very important in the prevention of the spread of Chlamydia. With all the given facts from doctors, pharmacies, and government programmes, a personal formula I want to share is written below. The government has allocated such huge amount of funds for these Chlamydia phenomena. But due to other factors such as other health and STD/STI problems, the money is not spent on what was intended. Assert yourself. You can demand to undergo the screening if your doctor in not able to offer you. Be aware. Knowing the symptoms and complications of the disease will help you a lot. Consult. After the treatment, you should still consult your doctor if the disease is no longer in your system. Don’t self medicate. You are not a doctor. Give that job to them. Encourage yourself. Having a good sexual behaviour takes a lot of discipline. This is not always effective but a self-encouragement will surely be helpful. With all these, you can help prevent the spread of this life-changing disease. Bibliography The Fifth Annual Report of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=6238 http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/chlamydia.htm http://www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/index.html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88468.php Willig, C. and Stainton-Rogers, W. (eds) (2008). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research in Psychology. Sage. Read More