Community Health Education

21/11/2025

HYPERTENSION
BY
BABAN WALID

19/11/2025

26/10/2025

STROKE IS THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEFORMITY AND DEATH WORLDWIDE.

Preventive Measures
Control BP, diabetes, cholesterol. Stop smoking/alcohol. Regular exercise, healthy diet, medical checkups.

25/10/2025

YOUR DIET, IS YOUR HEALTH.

02/07/2025

Measles
1. Introduction:
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children but can also occur in adults. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, it remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low-resource settings.
2. Definition:
Measles, also known as rubeola, is an acute viral respiratory illness characterized by a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, followed by a maculopapular rash. It is caused by the measles virus, a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus.
3. Causes:
✓Etiological agent: Measles virus (a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus)
✓Mode of transmission: Airborne via respiratory droplets from an infected person
✓Risk factors: Unvaccinated individuals, immunocompromised status, malnutrition, crowded environments
4. Signs and Symptoms:
•High fever (often > 40°C)
•Cough, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis
•Koplik spots (white spots inside the mouth)
•Erythematous maculopapular rash, starting from the face and spreading downward
•Malaise, anorexia

5. Pathophysiology:
After inhalation, the virus infects the respiratory tract, replicates locally, and spreads to lymphatic tissues. It disseminates via the bloodstream, leading to viremia and subsequent widespread infection. The rash results from immune response to infected endothelial cells in skin capillaries. Measles suppresses the immune system, increasing susceptibility to secondary infections.
6. Investigation:
•Clinical diagnosis: Based on characteristic signs and symptoms
•Laboratory tests:
•Measles-specific IgM antibodies (ELISA)
•Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for measles RNA
•Complete blood count (may show lymphopenia)
•Chest X-ray (if pneumonia suspected)
7. Medical Management:
•Supportive care: Hydration, antipyretics (e.g., paracetamol), rest
•Vitamin A supplementation: Reduces severity and mortality, especially in children
•Antibiotics: For secondary bacterial infections (e.g., pneumonia,Measles
1. Introduction:
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children but can also occur in adults. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, it remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low-resource settings.
2. Definition:
Measles, also known as rubeola, is an acute viral respiratory illness characterized by a prodrome of fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, followed by a maculopapular rash. It is caused by the measles virus, a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus.
3. Causes:
✓Etiological agent: Measles virus (a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus)
✓Mode of transmission: Airborne via respiratory droplets from an infected person
✓Risk factors: Unvaccinated individuals, immunocompromised status, malnutrition, crowded environments
4. Signs and Symptoms:
•High fever (often > 40°C)
•Cough, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis
•Koplik spots (white spots inside the mouth)
•Erythematous maculopapular rash, starting from the face and spreading downward
•Malaise, anorexia

5. Pathophysiology:
After inhalation, the virus infects the respiratory tract, replicates locally, and spreads to lymphatic tissues. It disseminates via the bloodstream, leading to viremia and subsequent widespread infection. The rash results from immune response to infected endothelial cells in skin capillaries. Measles suppresses the immune system, increasing susceptibility to secondary infections.
6. Investigation:
•Clinical diagnosis: Based on characteristic signs and symptoms
•Laboratory tests:
•Measles-specific IgM antibodies (ELISA)
•Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for measles RNA
•Complete blood count (may show lymphopenia)
•Chest X-ray (if pneumonia suspected)
7. Medical Management:
•Supportive care: Hydration, antipyretics (e.g., paracetamol), rest
•Vitamin A supplementation: Reduces severity and mortality, especially in children
•Antibiotics: For secondary bacterial infections (e.g., pneumonia, otitis media)
•Isolation: To prevent spread
8. Nursing Management:
•Monitor vital signs and signs of complications
•Provide a quiet, dimly lit environment to reduce photophobia
•Maintain hydration and nutrition
•Administer prescribed medications and vitamin A
•Educate caregivers on infection control and importance of vaccination
•Ensure respiratory hygiene and droplet precautions
•Monitor for signs of secondary infections

9. Complications:
•Pneumonia
•Encephalitis
Otitis media
•Diarrhea and dehydration
•Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)
•Blindness (particularly in Vitamin A deficient children)

10. Epidemiology:
Before widespread vaccination, measles was a leading cause of childhood mortality
Global vaccination efforts have significantly reduced incidence
Outbreaks still occur, particularly in areas with low immunization coverage
According to WHO, over 140,000 measles deaths occurred globally in 2018, primarily among children under five
11. References:
•World Health Organizati

21/06/2025

MALARIA 🦟.
Introduction
✓Malaria is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Despite global efforts to control and eliminate malaria, it remains a major public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.
✓Definition
Malaria is defined as an acute or chronic parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms.
✓Causes
The causative agents of malaria are five species of Plasmodium that infect humans:
•Plasmodium falciparum (most severe and common)
•Plasmodium vivax
•Plasmodium ovale
•Plasmodium malariae
•Plasmodium knowlesi (zoonotic species)
✓Mode of Transmission occurs primarily through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Other less common modes include:

•Blood transfusion
•Organ transplantation
•Shared needles
•Congenital transmission (from mother to fetus)

✓Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms typically appear 10–15 days after the mosquito bite and may include:
•High fever
•Chills and rigors
•Sweating
•Headache
•Nausea and vomiting
•Muscle and joint pain
•Fatigue
•Anemia
•Jaundice
√In severe cases: •seizures, •confusion, •coma, and •organ failure (especially with P. falciparum)

✓Life Cycle of Plasmodium falciparum
Mosquito Phase (sexual reproduction):
Mosquito ingests gametocytes → fertilization → oocyst formation → sporozoite development → migration to salivary glands.

✓ Human Phase (asexual reproduction):
>Sporozoites injected → liver (hepatic stage) → merozoites released → invade red blood cells (erythrocytic stage).
>Infected RBCs rupture, releasing more merozoites and toxins → some differentiate into gametocytes.
>In cerebral malaria, sequestration of infected RBCs in brain capillaries is key to pathology.

✓ Pathophysiology
Sequestration of P. falciparum-infected RBCs in the cerebral microvasculature leads to:
Blocked blood flow
Hypoxia and ischemia in brain tissue
Inflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-1)
Cerebral edema and raised intracranial pressure
The combination results in neural dysfunction, coma, and potentially death.

✓Investigations
•Blood smear (thick and thin) – to confirm P. falciparum and estimate parasite density
•Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) – detect antigens
•Lumbar puncture – to rule out meningitis/encephalitis
•CT/MRI scan – may show cerebral edema
•Blood glucose – hypoglycemia is common

•CBC – anemia, thrombocytopenia
•Renal and liver function tests
•Electrolytes – monitor for metabolic derangements

✓ Medical Management
•Antimalarial treatment:
•First-line: Intravenous artesunate (preferred)
•Alternative: Intravenous quinine (if artesunate unavailable)
Supportive care:
•Correct hypoglycemia
•Control seizures (e.g., diazepam, phenobarbital)
•Maintain airway and oxygenation
•Monitor and correct fluid/electrolyte imbalances
•Treat any secondary bacterial infections

✓Nursing Management
•Frequent monitoring of neurological status (e.g., Glasgow Coma Scale)
•Monitor vital signs, glucose levels, and seizure activity
•Maintain airway patency and oxygen therapy if needed
•Ensure accurate administration of antimalarial and supportive drugs
•Record fluid input/output to avoid overload or dehydration
•Positioning to prevent aspiration or pressure sores
•Communicate with family and provide psychological support

✓ Complications
•Brain edema (cerebral swelling)
•Persistent seizures or status epilepticus
•Respiratory failure
•Shock
•Coma
•Neurological deficits (e.g., motor impairment, speech delay)
•Death
✓ Epidemiology
Global burden: Predominantly affects Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America
High-risk groups:
Children under 5 years (especially in Africa)
Pregnant women
Non-immune travelers to endemic areas
Mortality rate: Up to 15-25% even with treatment; higher without treatment
Leading cause of malaria-related deaths and long-term neurological impairment

✓. References
1. World Health Organization (WHO). Severe Malaria Factsheet, 2023
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Malaria - Cerebral Malaria
3. Idro, R. et al. (2010). Cerebral malaria: mechanisms of brain injury and strategies for improved neuro-cognitive outcome. Pediatric Research.
4. White NJ. (2

08/06/2025

*Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13)**

🧬 **Overview**

Patau Syndrome is a severe genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 13.


-Type**: Autosomal trisomy

- **Chromosomal pattern**: 47,XX,+13 (female) or 47,XY,+13 (male)

- **Cause**: Most commonly due to **nondisjunction** during meiosis



🧫 **Types**


1. **Full Trisomy 13** – All cells have an extra chromosome 13 (most common)

2. **Mosaic Trisomy 13** – Only some cells have the extra chromosome

3. **Translocation Trisomy 13** – Part of chromosome 13 attached to another chromosome

👶 **Clinical Features**


-Craniofacial**:

_ Microphthalmia or anophthalmia

- Cleft lip and/or palate

- Low-set or malformed ears


Neurological**:

_ Holoprosencephaly (brain malformation)
_ Severe intellectual disability
Limb**:
_ Polydactyly (extra fingers or toes)
_ Clenched hands

Cardiac**:

_Congenital heart defects (e.g., VSD, ASD)
Other**:


- Renal abnormalities

- Growth retardation

- Apnea, feeding difficulties



🔍 **Diagnosis**


-Prenatal**:

_ Ultrasound (detects anomalies)

- NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)

- Confirmatory: Amniocentesis or CVS with karyotyping

*Postnatal**:

- Physical exam
_ Confirmed with chromosomal analysis


📈 **Prognosis**


- **Very poor**:

- Most infants die within the first few days or weeks

- Fewer than 10% survive beyond 1 year

- Survivors have profound disabilities



🩺 **Management**

*Supportive care**:
_ Palliative approach is common
- Selective surgery for correctable anomalies (e.g., cleft lip)

- Multidisciplinary team support