Week 4 project Capstone Paper

Week 4 project Capstone Paper

Week 4 project Capstone

Risk assessment is a crucial participatory process for analyzing the hazards, risks, and vulnerability of a given population to promote the development of coping strategies and risk management initiatives by the local community (Susanto et al., 2018). In conducting this risk assessment exercise, I interviewed three female participants between the age of 35 to 44 years from Fort Pierce Florida as my aggregate population. The purpose of this paper is to report on the outcomes of environmental and occupational health, family assessment, home assessment, and the general risk factors affecting the health of this population.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

Risk Assessment

Environment Assessment

            The environment of the target group was assessed using the comprehensive occupation and environmental history form. The assessment entailed three main parts, such as community exposures, home exposures, and work history (Sprung & Rogers, 2021). Community exposures involved assessment of the location of the aggregates’ homes, accessibility to clean water, and common health disparities such as obesity and their prevalence within the neighborhood. The home exposures involved analysis of the time the home was constructed, general safety protocols, and condition of the available utilities among other exposures like the heating system. The work assessment mainly focused on the total number of working hours per week, associated risks to injury or trauma, and exposure to occupational hazards such as dangerous chemicals and dust. All these aspects of the occupational and environmental assessment are crucial in identifying the actual sources of risk factors undermining the patient’s health.

Family Assessment

            The Friedman Family Assessment model was utilized to evaluate the family of the aggregate population. The main focus of the interview was on the family structure and stress and coping mechanisms displayed by the family members among other factors undermining the health of the family (Susanto et al., 2018). Developmental stages and family composition were also assessed. The family power structure and the relationship among family members in terms of their decision-making process and communication patterns were the points of focus in family structure assessment. The family beliefs and values were also evaluated in relation to health stressors and coping mechanisms.

Home Assessment

            Assessment of the aggregates’ homes was conducted through short-answer structured interview questions regarding their exposures to build on information collected under environmental assessment as described above. The interview started with questions regarding the living condition, followed by maintenance and potential hazards within the house. Other factors assessed include the fuel source, ventilation, and exposure to chemicals like pesticides (Sprung & Rogers, 2021). The location of the home was also analyzed in terms of terrain, and positioning of the house, including the surrounding neighborhood. Generally, the home assessment interview focused on collecting data regarding how safe the home was to promote the health and wellbeing of the aggregate.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths of Community

            From the community risk assessment results, several strengths were noted within the society. For instance, it was noted that the aggregate belonged to a community with adequate facilities necessary to facilitate healthy living. Resources such as transport and availability of easily accessible clean water and healthcare services were reported within the community. Consequently, the crime level within the community was reported to be minimal (Weisburd & White, 2019). Lastly, several health promotion resources such as routine screening programs and physical activity programs were also reported within the community as a strategy of promoting their general health and wellbeing.

Weaknesses of Community

            However, several challenges affecting the health and well-being of the community members were also reported. For instance, the community lack unity with poor communication and limited engagement especially when it comes to solving problems collectively. The interviewee reported that most people do not involve themselves with other people’s problems, leading to increased stress and a lack of adequate coping mechanisms (Sprung & Rogers, 2021). Consequently, the community is next to a large water body that tends to suffer from water pollution, as some industries still dispose of their wastes into the water. Other than the provision of clean water through filtration, pollution of water can lead to the spreading of diseases, especially to an individual who visits the beach during their leisure time.

Strengths of Aggregate
From the assessment of the aggregate, several strengths were noted ranging from an appropriate family structure with good communication promoting stress coping mechanisms. All interviewees reported that they came from a family with a strong support system for one another, based on respect and good relationships (Susanto et al., 2018). They also claimed that in case one family member encountered a problem, they would sit down together and find a solution, without giving up on the family members. Generally, the aggregate believes in and values family ties as the most important aspect of life.

Weaknesses of Aggregate

            However, the aggregate reported several risks associated with their living situation and risks associated with the workplace. One of the interviewees reported that most of her family members are now living in different parts of the city as a result of the location of their workplace. This has led to less communication, hence losing the family support system which they enjoyed before. Consequently, as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, most of the family members would fear visiting one another or engaging to prevent spreading the virus to their family members (Kantor & Kantor, 2020). They were also afraid to go to work at times, for the same reason. Such factors contribute to increased stress levels with inappropriate coping mechanisms.

Health Risks of Aggregate Identified

            Generally, through the assessment, several risk factors undermining the health of the aggregate were noted. For instance, environmental hazards such as water pollution and inaccessibility to clean air can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases. Consequently, lack of community engagement and separation of the aggregate family members can also lead to less personal touch and engagement essential in promoting the mental health of the population. As such, the aggregate is at high risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Lastly, due to the current pandemic, most of the working-class members of the community are at high risk of contracting the coronavirus, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates (Sen-Crowe et al., 2021).

Conclusion

The conducted risk assessment exercise revealed the home, family, and environment factors undermining the health of the aggregate for development and implementation of appropriate mitigating strategies. Consequently, several strengths were also noted within the community such as accessibility to clean air and affordable healthcare services essential in promoting the health and wellbeing of the community members.

References

Kantor, B. N., & Kantor, J. (2020). Mental health outcomes and associations during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey of the US general population. MedRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2021.01.076

Sen-Crowe, B., Sutherland, M., McKenney, M., & Elkbuli, A. (2021). The Florida COVID-19 mystery: lessons to be learned. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.08.009

Sprung, J. M., & Rogers, A. (2021). Work-life balance as a predictor of college student anxiety and depression. Journal of American college health, 69(7), 775-782. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1706540

Susanto, T., Arisandi, D., Kumakura, R., Oda, A., Koike, M., Tsuda, A., … & Sugama, J. (2018). Development and testing of the family structure and family functions scale for parents providing adolescent reproductive health based on the Friedman family assessment model. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 26(2), 217-236.  DOI:10.1891/1061-3749.26.2.217

Weisburd, D., & White, C. (2019). Hot spots of crime are not just hot spots of crime: examining health outcomes at street segments. Journal of contemporary criminal justice, 35(2), 142-160. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986219832132

Week 4 Project

Instructions
Week 4 Project
In a Microsoft Word document of 4-5 pages formatted in APA style, complete the following assessments (as they pertain to your aggregate) by interviewing 2-3 members of your aggregate:

Environment (Comprehensive Occupational and Environmental Health History)
Home (from lecture in class)
Family (Friedman Family Assessment)
Risk assessment (from lecture in class describe risks for your aggregate based on local statistics and services available)
Describe the results of the assessments, including examples and support from journal articles, following the guidelines below:

Risk Assessment

How Environment was Assessed
How the Home was Assessed
How the Family was Assessed
Risk Assessment
Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths of Community
Weaknesses of Community
Strengths of Aggregate
Weaknesses of Aggregate
Health Risks of Aggregate Identified
On a separate references page, cite all sources using APA format. Helpful APA guides and resources are available in the South University Online Library. Below are guides that are located in the library and can be accessed and downloaded via the South University Online Citation Resources: APA Style page. The American Psychological Association website also provides detailed guidance on formatting, citations, and references at APA Style.

• APA Citation Helper
• APA Citations Quick Sheet
• APA-Style Formatting Guidelines for a Written Essay
• Basic Essay Template

Please note that the title and reference pages should not be included in the total page count of your paper.

Submission Details:
Name your document SU_NSG4076_W4_Project_LastName_FirstInitial
Submit your document to the Submissions Area by the due date assigned.
Submissions