Health education

A thorough idea on principles, tools, aids, objectives of health education

1. Health Education Department of Public Health Dentistry Shubham Parmar Final year

2. Contents Definition What is health ? Objectives of Health Education Health Education vs Propaganda Principles of Health Education Stages in adoption of new ideas and practices Educational Aids used in Health Education Methods of Health Education

3. Health education comprises consciously constructed opportunities for learning involving some form of communication designed to improve health literacy , including improving knowledge , and developing life skills which are conducive to individual and community health . -WHO Health Promotion Glossary 1998

4. What is health ? A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. -World Health Organization

5. Objectives of Health Education Informing people (cognitive objective) people are informed about different diseases, their etiology , and how to prevent them. Information increases knowledge and helps people become aware of their health problems

6. Motivating people (affective objective) It is concerned with clarifying, forming or changing attitudes, beliefs, values or opinions. It is necessary to motivate people to alter their lifestyle so that is becomes favourable to promoting health and preventing diseases Guiding into action (behavioural objective) It is concerned with the development of skills and action

7. Health Education vs Propaganda Health Education Propaganda Knowledge and skills are actively acquired in the process. Knowledge is instilled in the mind in this process. Drives people to think for themselves. Prevents thinking in individuals. Primitive desirers are disciplined in this process Primitive desires are aroused and stimulated. Results in a reflective behaviour and makes people use judgement before acting upon it. Process results in reflexive behaviour and makes people aim at impulsive actions. Process appeals to a reason Process appeals to a emotion. Helps to develop individuality, personality and self expression. Develops different patterns of attitude and behaviours according to medium used. Knowledge is acquired through self reliant activity Knowledge is passively received and spoon fed. Aimed at developing good habits, favourable attitudes and skills in individuals and is behaviour oriented No change in attitude oe behaviour of individual is seen and process is information oriented.

8. Principles of Health Education Credibility Interest Participation Motivation Comprehension Reinforcement Learning by doing Known to unknown Setting an example Good human relations Feedback Community leaders Seed, Soil, Sower

9. It is the degree to which the message is perceived as trustworthy by the receiver It should be scientifically proven, based on fact and should be compatible with local culture and social goals Credibility

10. Interest The health education topic should be of interest to the people only then will they listen to it The educator needs to identify the needs and interests of the people and arrange a session accordingly

11. Motivation Motivation is defined as the fundamental desire for learning in and individual Health education can be facilitated by motivation provided by the desire to achieve individual goals

12. Comprehension Comprehension refers to the level of understanding of the people receiving health education Health educator must first determine the level of literacy and understanding of the audience and act accordingly Usage of technical or medical terms must be avoided

13. Reinforcement It is not possible for people to learn or adapt to a process or behaviour in short period of time Repetition is needed in health education Should be done at regular intervals Called as the BOOSTER DOSE in health education

14. Learning by doing It is easier to learn a new thing if the learning process is accompanied by doing the new thing It is better instilled in the minds of people

15. Known to unknown The health educator must first find out how much the people already know Only then can he give them knowledge as per their requirement The existing knowledge of people can act as basic step upon which new knowledge is placed

16. The health educator must follow what he preaches He should set an example For other people to follow Setting An Example

17. Good human relations The health educator should ne able to maintain friendly relations with the people He should have a kind and sympathetic attitude towards the people He should always be helpful to them in clarifying their doubts

18. Feedback

19. Community leaders Community leaders can be used to reach out to the community and convince them the need fo health education Community leaders have a rapport and are familiar with the people of the community and can be used to provide health education to the people of the community

20. Seed, Soil, Sower Soil is the community Seed is the information Sower is the person giving the information

21. Stages in adoption of new ideas and practices

22. Educational Aids used in Health Education

23. Auditary Aids Auditary aids are useful in reproducing any kind of words spoken and also help in repeating the same. Megaphones, gramophone, tape recorders, radios, sound amplifiers are some auditory aids used in health education

24. Visual Aids They can be classified as projected and non projected aids Projected Aids- these are aids than can be shown on a screen Real life situations can be enacted in films Process is self explanatory Special interest among audience is created Leaves a lasting impression on the mind of people

25. Non Projected Aids- these are visual aids that do not require any projection Examples – blackboard, photographs, charts, posters, flashcards

26. Combination of Audio-Visual Aids Sound and sight is combined together to create a better presentation Examples- televisions, Tape and slide combinations, video cassette players and recorders, cinemas, folk dances, puppet shows, dramas.

27. Methods of Health Education Individual approach Group approach Mass approach

28. Individual Approach A one to one communication of the educator and the patient takes place. Can be done in the doctors consultation room

29. Advantages Disadvantages Discussion argument and persuasion of an individual to change behavior is possible Small number of people can benefit There is opportunity for asking questions and clearing doubts Health education is given only to people who come in contact with the educator or public health personel

30. Group approach Lectures – A carefully prepared oral presentation of facts, organized thoughts and ideas by a qualified person. It has an opening statement which gives the theme of the lecture. Group should not be more than 30 people One way communication

31. Symposium – A series of speech on a selected topic Each speaker presents a brief aspect of the topic No discussion among speakers Audience is allowed to ask questions at the end The chairman makes a summary at the end of the session

32. Group Discussion – Group should not be more than 6-12 members Face to face interaction of individuals takes place Participants are seated in a circle A group leader is present who initiates the subject and prevents side conversations and encourages equal participation Unequal participation of members may be there

33. Panel Discussion – Headed by a chairman who opens the session and introduces the speakers and keeps the discussion going Panel of 4-8 experts sit and discuss a topic in front of audience Chairman sums up different views expressed

34. Workshop – Consists of a series of meetings with emphasis on individual work with the help of resource persons The total workshop is divided into small groups The individuals work, solve a part of the problem, contribute to group discussion and leave with a plan of action for the problem

35. Role playing/socio drama – Size of the group should be of about 25 people Audience should actively take part by suggesting alternative solutions and even taking part in the drama Situation is dramatized to make the communication is effective Useful for health education for children Followed by discussion of problem

36. Demonstrations – Procedure is carried out step-by step in front of audience Has a high motivation value Audience can then carry out the procedure themselves with expert help

37. Mass Approach Health education given to a large community or the general public Small investment is required to reach a large number of people Quickest method to educate a large number of people People of all socio-economic status irrespective of caste creed and religion have access to health education

38. Only one way communication is possible People cannot ask and clear their doubts if they have any No feedback is possible

39. Various mass media used for health education Newspaper Posters Television Radio

40. Thank you