Principles of health education

related to public health

1. GUIDED BY DR CHANDRASHEKAR B S MDS DR ANKITA JITENDRA SUBMITTED BY KAUSTUBHA P IV B D S 14D4018 Principles of Health Education

2. Credibility Interest Participation Motivation Comprehension Reinforcement Learning by doing Known to unknown Setting an example Good Human Relations Feedback Community Leaders Seed, Sower and Soil The Principles of Health Education can be categorized as follows:

3. It is the degree to which a message is received trustworthy by the receiver. It should be scientifically proven, based upon facts and should be compatible with local culture and social goals. 1.Credibility

4. If the health education topic is of interest to the people, they will listen to it. The health educator needs to identify the “felt needs” of the people and then prepare a program that they can actively participate in to make it successful. 2. Interest

5. The health educator should encourage people to participate in the program. Once the people are given the chance to participate in the program it leads to their acceptance of the program. Certain programs like group discussions and panel discussions provide opportunities to peoples participation. 3. Participation

6. Motivation can be defined as “the fundamental desire for learning in an individual”. Motives are of two types-Primary motive and Secondary motive. The primary motives are inborn desires like food, clothing and shelter. The secondary motives are desires due to outside forces, e.g. Gifts, love, a word of praise, rewards etc. Health education is facilitated by motivation provided by desire to achieve individual goals. For example, a teenager esthetics might be a motive to take care of his/her teeth whereas for an adult expenses may be for restorative or prosthetic needs. 4. Motivation

7. Refers to the level of understanding of the people who receive health education. The health educator should first determine the level literacy and understanding of the people and act accordingly. Words that are strange or new should not be used, usage of medical and technical terms should be avoided. E.g.: A statement saying “Eat food items which are non- cariogenic ” may not be comprehensive to the layman. A better way of explaining would be “Avoid food stuffs which are sweet and stick to your teeth like toffees and pastries. Eat food items like fruits and raw vegetables, which in addition to being healthy, also keep your teeth clean. 5. Comprehension

8. This is the principles that refers to the repetition needed in health education. It is not possible for the people to learn new things in a short period of time. So repetition is a good idea. This can be don at regular intervals of time and it helps people to understand new ideas or practices better. This principle is called “booster dose” in health education. 6. Reinforcement

9. Just by listening to new ideas or seeing new things, it might be difficult to implement them. This principle is based on the famous Chinese proverb “if I hear, I forget; if I see, I remember; if I do, I remember”. E.g. It is difficult to even remember the method of tooth brushing when heard on the radio. It might be difficult to master the act of proper tooth brushing even by watching the demonstration. However , after the demonstration, if practiced under professional guidance, proper method of tooth brushing can be learnt. 7. Learning by doing

10. Before the start of health education program, the health educator should find out how much people already know and then give them new knowledge. The existing knowledge of the people can be used as the basic step upon which new knowledge can be placed. If the health educator is in the aim of introducing toothbrush, then the communicator should start with “what are you using to clean the teeth? And then going into details like “why are you using it”? And then connecting it to the toothbrush. 8. Known to unknown

11. The health educator should follow what he preaches. He should set an example to follow. E.g. A health educator who participates in a program highlighting the ill effects of tobacco should not be seen smoking since it is a wrong thing and seriousness of the situation is lost. 9. Setting an example

12. The principle states that the health educator should have good personal qualities and should be able to maintain friendly relations with the people. The health educator should have kind and sympathetic attitude towards the people and should always be helpful to people, clarifying their doubts and repeating when not understood. 10.Good Human Relations

13. For any program to be successful, it is necessary to collect feedback to find out any modifications are need to make the program effective. 11. Feedback Soil is the community Seed is the information Sower is the person giving information 12. Seed, sower and Soil

14. Community Leaders can be used to reach the people of the community and to convince them about the need of Health Education. The Leaders can also be used to educate the people, as they will have a rapport and will be familiar with the people of their community. The leaders will have an understanding of the needs of the community and advice and guide them. The health education of the rural people can be achieved through the head of the village, where as school children approach through school teacher or Headmaster. 13. Community Leaders