The Role of Community Health Nurses in Preventing Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Public Health Approach

Althubaiti, Aljawhara; ALOTAIBI, MANSOUR SAUD; Alotaibi, Sattam Hamoud Nayidh; Al Modahi, Sultan ABDULRAHMAN; AlOTAIBI, FAIIAJ

doi:10.21608/jmals.2025.445202

The Role of Community Health Nurses in Preventing Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Public Health Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Prince Mansour Military Hospital, Saudi Arabia

² Prince Sultan Military Medical City ، Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

³ Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia

⁴ Prince Sultan Military Medical City ‏Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

10.21608/jmals.2025.445202

Abstract

Background: Infectious disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, Ebola, and influenza, have highlighted the critical role of community health nurses (CHNs) in prevention, surveillance, and response. Positioned at the intersection of clinical care and public health, CHNs bridge gaps in healthcare access, education, and equity, particularly in underserved communities. Aim: This review examines the contributions of CHNs in infectious disease prevention, identifies challenges they face, and explores strategies to enhance their effectiveness in outbreak response. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and public health reports on CHN interventions during outbreaks. Key focus areas included surveillance, vaccination programs, health education, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Results: CHNs play a pivotal role in early outbreak detection through community-based surveillance, reducing transmission via vaccination campaigns (e.g., increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake by 30% in hesitant populations), and improving health literacy through culturally tailored education. Case studies from Ebola and COVID-19 responses demonstrated that CHN involvement reduced misinformation and enhanced compliance with public health measures. However, barriers such as workforce shortages, inconsistent training, and limited resources hinder their impact.
Conclusion: CHNs are indispensable in mitigating infectious disease outbreaks through prevention, education, and equitable healthcare delivery. Strengthening their role requires standardized training, better resource allocation, and integration into public health policy. Future research should focus on quantifying CHN impact and optimizing community-centered outbreak response models.

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