Prevention and Treatment of Covid-19 in Spa6 Los Angeles

Since the COVID 19 outbreak in LA, the county has become one of the hotbeds of the pandemic in the US. According to the Los Angeles City Department of Health, statistics indicate that the number of the cases continue to increase with various hospital recording new cases every day. Recent data show that the county has an estimated 194,000 confirmed cases and 4701 deaths ("COVID-19 hospital data," 2020). The figures are very devastating. Despite these high number of cases in the county, the scholarly spheres has conducted very limited research studies on the effectiveness of the preventive and treatment measures that have been adopted for the various SPA (Service Planning Areas). As such, the particular approaches that have been used so far have relied on the existing frameworks on handling infectious viral diseases despite the unique traits of the COVID 19 greatly affecting the management of the disease. To this end, this research study intends to undertake a comprehensive study of the degree of effectiveness of the preventive measures and treatment plans in Los Angeles with a focus on the SPA 6 which covers the cities of Compton, Crenshaw, Florence, Lynwood, Paramount, Rosewood, Watts, West Adams, Willowbrook and Windsor Hills. Primarily, investigate the patterns of the spread across different social groups that live in the area with a special emphasis of the most at risk segments of the population, children and the low-income families that lack comprehensive medical care plans. According to the Harrington et al., (2020), research on the preventive and treatment approaches is one of the most important dimensions that have greatly helped to contain the spread of the virus in jurisdictions across the globe that have successfully managed the spread of the virus. 

Problem Statement 

SPA 6 areas have the largest number of low income population with statistics indicating that the areas has the largest number of uninsured children in LA county and the second largest number of uninsured adults mostly caused by high levels of low income population. These areas have some of the highest number of infections despite the City department’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus ("LA County Department of Public Health," 2020). As such, the existing research gap of the specific factors that account for this phenomenon remains unaddressed mainly because of the gaps in knowledge of the specific preventive and treatment plans that can be applied to effectively mitigate the problem. While efforts continue towards finding a cure to the virus, it is of great importance that the scholarly undertakes research endeavors to fill this information gap. Primarily, by undertaking this project, not only will it help to bridge this gap but it will also provide important data that will effectively help the health care system and the stakeholders on the most effective strategies that may help to mitigate the spread in SPA 6 and by extension the larger Los Angeles area. Arguably, the outcomes of the research will act as an important step towards addressing the prevalence of the virus in the area of the study, chosen primarily because of its high prevalence rates. More so, it is home to the largest at-risk population in Los Angeles County. 

Objective And Specific Aims 

General Objective 

The study will seek to examine the current patterns of the spread of the COVID 19 virus among the low incomes families in the SPA 6 by identifying the particular preventive and treatment plans available to them. The study also seeks to identify the existing myth and cultural misconceptions among the residents about COVID 19 and how this subsequently impacts the overall spread of the virus. After the successful completion of the study, it will provide valuable insight towards the best practices and interventions to help manage the prevalence of epidemic and treatment. 

OBJECTIVE AND SPECIFIC AIMS: 

General Objective 

To investigate the preventive measures common in the area and the impact of each approach towards managing the spread? 

Specific Aims 

To track and identify the factors that account for the trend of new infections? 

To assess the effectiveness of the different treatment plans used to manage the virus? 

To determine the knowledge levels about the virus in the SPA communities? 

RESEARCH QUESTION: 

The following will be the research questions that will guide the research: 

What are the key factors that account for the current high prevalence in SPA 6? 

Are the current preventive and treatment measures in addressing COVID 19 among children and low income families? 

HYPOTHESIS: 

Poor access to preventive and treatment measures among low income families account for the high prevalence rates of COVID 19 in SPA 6 area of Los Angeles 

Null Hypothesis: 

Poor access to preventive and treatment interventions among low income families does not account for the high prevalence rates of COVID 19 in the SPA area of Los Angeles 

BACKGROUND: 

The cumulative rates of new infections in the Los Angeles have been on an upward trajectory since April this year as the figure 1 below shows. The data collected from various hospitals across the county indicate that the trends are not about to decline and the most affected is the low income population segments (Sood et al., 2020). 

Figure 1 Corona Virus Cases in Los Angeles (Source LA County Health Department) 

According to a mapping of the most affe4cted areas indicate that down town Los Angeles has the highest concentration of the new infections. More precisely, despite this statistical evidence, there remain little efforts to investigate this phenomenon thereby creating a huge gap on the critical factors that account for this trend (Spellberg et al., 2020). The map below shows the rats of infections rates in the Los Angeles which shows a higher concentration in the down section which mainly covers the SPA 6 area. 

Figure 2 Mapping of Corona Cases in LA (Source LA County Health Department) 

As Lopez, (2020) avows, there is an urgent need for conducting a study to examine the causal factors that explain the phenomenon to help provide data that may help in the accurate intervention strategies that may help towards effective management of the pandemic. Corona virus has adverse impact not only on the health of the residents but also their socio-eco9nomic welfare (Naqvi et al., 2020). The trend of new infections and prevalence of the pandemic and the existing gaps of research on the particular factors that may explain this new phenomenon inspired the endeavor of this study. More importantly, the fact that there is no indication of a decline of the rate of prevalence make the project of great significant towards helping in reversing these current patterns. 

2.0. RESEARCH STRATEGY (METHODS) 

The research study proposes to use a mixed research strategy that will incorporate the use of both quantitative and qualitative processes to ensure the collection of a wide pool of information on the topic. The decision to use the approach is primarily informed by the need to gather information that helps to provide adequate data that explains the phenomenon in a very broad perspective. 

2.1. Significance 

The research strategy will help to ensure that the quality of the data collected adequately answers the research question. Multiple theorists assert that the mixed methodological approach in research plays an important role in ensuring the accuracy of the data by ensuring that any contradicting information is eliminated. More importantly, it helps to capture the perceptual views of the target population. As such, in the context of the focus area of the area, the strategy ensures that the understanding of the target population regarding COVID 19 prevalence features in the outcome of the project. To this end, it will fundamentally help to improve the quality of the data collected by fostering scholarly interaction with a wide pool of data. 

2.2. Study design: 

The study is designed to utilize both quantitative data mostly from health care institutions existing in the SPA 6 territory from at least one hospital from each of the cities within the area. Also, it will collect qualitative through a cross sectional research design from community members to examine the level of effectiveness of the existing prevention and treatment intervention of COVID 19 virus within their community. 

2.3. Type of population 

The study will focus on low income families of the population living in these communities. Different types of families will be selected including single households and those with both parents. Also, the study will use families that have a member diagnosed with the virus and those free from the virus to help identify the factors that account for the difference. 

2.4. Sampling procedures 

The research will use a random sampling methodological approach from families living within the study area. This will help to eliminate bias from the data collected and thus improve the quality of the information gathered. 

2.5. Inclusion criteria of your study 

The inclusion criteria for the sample population will be all families that have an annual income of below $44,700 with four members. Also, the families must have lived in the area for a period of not less than 3 years. 

2.6. Exclusion criteria of your study 

All families that earn more than poverty index threshold of $ 44,700 will be excluded from the study. Also, all those families that have not lived in the area for a period of less than 3 years despite being categorized as low income group will be excluded from this research. 

2.7. Selected study variables for your study: 

Outcome/Dependent Variable: 

Infection rates of COVID 19 among low income families 

Predictor/Independent Variable: 

COVID 19 prevention and treatment 

Measurements for the selected study variables for your study 

Data management 

The study will use the DDBM data management system that will ensure the security of all the information collected. 

Data analysis: 

The collected data will analyzed through a descriptive analysis approach using SPPS software tool that will effectively help to identify trends and relationships between different critical factors that account for the prevalence rates of COVID 19 in the area. The presentation of the data will use tabulation, frequency tables and charts. 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES: 

The study expects the following outcomes: 

Identification of the critical factors that account for the prevalence of COVID 19 cases among low income in SPA 6 compared to other areas in Los Angeles 

The existing misconceptions about the virus and the way it spreads among the target population 

Limitations of the current prevent and treatment interventions procedural frameworks and the possible ways to improve them 

LIMITATIONS 

The study only focuses on the low income families 

The scope of the study only focuses on the SPA 6 area while the prevalence rates extends to the larger Los Angeles area 

The lack of sufficient funds to meet the necessary cost of key activities of the research 

IMPACT 

Provide key information on the reasons why the current preventive and treatment measures are not effective in SPA 6 area compared to other high income neighborhoods 

Offer insights of the possible policy changes that would effectively help to curb the prevalence of the COVID 19 virus 

References 

COVID-19 hospital data . (2020, June 25). Welcome - California Open Data.  https://data.ca.gov/dataset/covid-19-hospital-data 

Harrington, C., Ross, L., Chapman, S., Halifax, E., Spurlock, B., & Bakerjian, D. (2020). Nurse staffing and coronavirus infections in California nursing homes.  Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice , 152715442093870.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154420938707 

LA County Department of Public Health . (2020). Department of Public Health.  https://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/ 

Lopez, R. P. (2020). Comment on: Coronavirus 2019 in geriatrics and long‐term care: The ABCDs of COVID ‐19.  Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ,  68 (6), 1166-1167.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16543 

Naqvi, M., Burwick, R. M., Ozimek, J. A., Greene, N. H., Kilpatrick, S. J., & Wong, M. S. (2020). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) universal testing experience on a Los Angeles labor and delivery unit.  Obstetrics & Gynecology ,  136 (2), 235-236.  https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000003987 

Sood, N., Simon, P., Ebner, P., Eichner, D., Reynolds, J., Bendavid, E., & Bhattacharya, J. (2020). Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2–Specific antibodies among adults in Los Angeles County, California, on April 10-11, 2020.  JAMA ,  323 (23), 2425.  https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.8279 

Spellberg, B., Haddix, M., Lee, R., Butler-Wu, S., Holtom, P., Yee, H., & Gounder, P. (2020). Community prevalence of SARS-Cov-2 among patients with Influenzalike illnesses presenting to a Los Angeles Medical Center in March 2020.  JAMA ,  323 (19), 1966.  https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.4958