HEALTH EDUCATION

CHAPTER 1
CONCEPTS OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Health is a word derived from the old English word heal which is HAEL.
It means whole because health concerns the whole person and his/her
integrity, soundness or well-being and that person functions as a complete
entity.
Thus, holistic nursing intervention focuses on the total care of the
individual as a complete being rather than on fragmented care which
focuses only on the part or parts which are not healthy or functional.
DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH
1. Broader Dimensions of Health
a. Societal health – the link between health and the
way a society is structured. This includes the
basic infrastructure necessary for health (e.g
shelter, peace, food, income) and the degree of
integration or division within the society.
b. Environmental health – the physical environment
where people live; it involves housing, transport,
sanitation, pollution and water facilities.
DIMENSIONS OF HEALTH
2. Individual dimensions of health
a. Physical health – state of one’s body like it’s fitness and not being
ill;
b. Mental health – positive sense of purpose and underlying belief in
one’s own worth (self-esteem).
c. Emotional health – the ability to express one’s feelings
appropriately and to develop and sustain relationships.
d. Social health – involves the support system that is available from
family members and friends.
e. Spiritual health – recognition of a Supreme Being or Force and
ability to put into practice one’s moral principles or beliefs.
f. Sexual health – refers to the acceptance of and the ability to
achieve a satisfactory expression of one’s sexuality.
Health – “a state of mental, physical, spiritual and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
1. Physical health – biological integrity of an individual where
there is optimum functioning of his physical and physiological
abilities and freedom from any disease or disability.
2. Mental health – (or psychological health and emotional
health) the subjective sense of well-being.
3. Social health – ability to interact effectively with other people
and the social environment; development and sustenance of
satisfying interpersonal relationships; and effective and
efficient role fulfillment.
4. Spiritual health or personal health – one’s belief in a
transdescending, unifying force, or a godlike source.
 FACTORS IN THE ECOSYSTEM WHICH AFFECT THE OPTIMUM
LEVEL OF FUNCTIONING (OLOF)
1. Political factor – power & authority to regulate the environment and the
social climate by the politicians and decision makers especially on laws
and policies which impact on health, the health care delivery system
and the practice of the nursing profession.
2. Behavioral factor – person’s level of functioning is affected by certain
habits, lifestyle, health care, and child rearing practices which are
determined by the culture and ethnic heritage;
3. Hereditary factors – factors which are determined by heredity which is
the genetic makeup of a person like inherited diseases and genetic
risks.
4. Health care delivery system – totality of all policies, infrastructures,
facilities, equipment, products, human resources and services which
address the health needs and concerns of the people.
Primary health care – partnership approach to the effective
provision of essential health services that are community-based,
accessible, acceptable, sustainable, affordable.
It is healthcare that is provided at the barangay health stations
and rural health units that is focused on prevention of illness
and promotion of health.
a. Promotive care – promotion of health through health
teachings and observance of healthy habits and lifestyle.
b. Preventive care – prevention or avoidance of illness through
health teachings, home visits, and regular check-ups, proper
implementation of EPI and other follow up vaccinations,
personal hygiene.
c. Curative care - secondary level of care given by physicians
in privately owned or government operated health facilities.
5. Environmental influences- factors or situations which exert
negative effects on the environment and which put a
tremendous strains on the environment and the destruction of
the environmental resources.
6. Socio – economic influence – families in lower income group
are the ones mostly served particularly those coming from the
DOPE (depressed, oppressed, powerless, and exploited) sectors
of society.
 Health As a Basic Human Right

2. Philippine Constitution of 1987, Art. XIII, Sec. 11

“The state shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor
to make essential goods, health, and other social
services available to all the people at affordable costs.
 Health As a Basic Human Right

2. Philippine Constitution of 1987, Art. XIII, Sec. 11

“The state shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health, and other social services available to all
the people at affordable costs.
There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick,
elderly, disabled, women, and children.
The state shall endeavor to provide free medical services to the
paupers.
 Health and Wellness as Conceived in Today’s World

Health and wellness are two concepts which have been used
interchangeably to mean the “ability to live life fully with vitality
and meaning.”
Wellness is now the new health goal.
A state of mind, a way of life which involves options that an
individual takes to enjoy a healthy life;
The perception that one is capable of achieving one’s full
potentials through the options one has in relation to being well;
The integration of the mind, body and spirit;
The level of self-actualization where one feels that he has
lived a full and accomplished life.
 CHAPTER 2

• HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND

CONCEPTS OF HEALTH EDUCATION
Health education is any combination of learning experiences
designed to facilitate voluntary adaptations of behavior
conducive to health.

WHO Definition:
“comprises of 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.”
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH EDUCATION?
1. Health education EMPOWERS people to decide for themselves
what options to choose to enhance their quality of life.
2. Health education equips people with knowledge and
competencies to prevent illness, maintain health or apply first
aid measures to prevent complications or premature deaths
and improves the health status of individuals, families, and
communities, states, and the nation.
3. Health education enhances the quality of life by promoting
healthy lifestyles.
4. Health education creates awareness regarding the importance
of preventive and promotive care thereby avoiding or reducing
the cost involved in medical treatment or hospitalization.
 LEGAL BASIS OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN THE NURSING
CURRICULUM

According to The Duties of a Nurse in Rule IV, Art. VI, Sec. 28 of

the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 also known as RA 9173:

a) “provide health education to individuals, families, and

communities;
b) “teach, guide, and supervise students in nursing education;
c) Implement programs including the administration of nursing
services in varied settings like hospitals and clinics.”
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF A PROFESSIONAL
HEALTH EDUCATOR?

1. Assess individual and community needs and capabilities and

identify both internal and external resources in the community;
2. Plan, develop, and coordinate with the different health and
government agencies and NGOs regarding the health
education programs;
3. Do community organizing and outreach;
4. Conduct staff training and consult with other healthcare
providers about behavioral, cultural or social barriers to health;
5. Conduct regular periodic evaluation of health education
programs;
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF A PROFESSIONAL
HEALTH EDUCATOR?

6. Make referrals;
7. Develop audio, visual print, and electronic materials to be
used for training, and conduct of health education classes;
8. Conduct research work and write scholarly articles.
ROLE OF THE HEALTH EDUCATOR

1. Implement health education strategies, interventions, and

programs.
2. Administer health education strategies, interventions, and
programs.
3. Conduct evaluation and research in relation to health
education.
4. Serve as a health education resource person.
5. Assess individual and community needs for health education.
6. Plan health education strategies, interventions, and
programs.
7. Communicate and advocate for health and health education.
THE TEACHING OF HEALTH EDUCATION

1. Emotional health and a positive self-image

2. Appreciation and care of the human body and its vital organs;
3. Physical fitness;
4. Health issues of alcohol, tobacco, drug use, and abuse;
5. Health misconceptions and myths;
6. Effects of exercise on the body systems and on general well-
being;
7. Nutrition and weight control;
8. Sexual relationship and sexuality;
9. The scientific, social, and economic aspect of community and
ecological health;
THE TEACHING OF HEALTH EDUCATION

10. Communicable and degenerative diseases including

sexually transmitted infections;
11. Disaster preparedness;
12. Safety and driver education;
13. Environmental factors and how those factors affect an
individual’s or population’s environmental health.
BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL MODEL (BPS)
- Is an approach that states that human experience of health or
illness is greatly affected or determined by the interplay or
interrelatedness of the following factors:
1. Biological – (concerned with the functioning of the different
organ systems of the body and its coping or adaptive
mechanisms like immunity level, genetic susceptibility or
predispositions.)
2. Psychological (perceptions, thoughts, emotions, attitudes,
and behaviors.)
3. Social factors (socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs and
practices, poverty, technology, environmental influences and
conditions.)
CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION

a. It is directed at people who are directly involved with health-

related situations and issues in the home and the community.
b. The lessons are repeated and reinforced over time using different
methods;
c. The lessons are adaptable and use existing channels of
communication.
d. It is entertaining and attracts the community’s attention;
e. Use, clear, simple language with local expressions;
f. Emphasizes short term benefits of action;
g. Provides opportunities for dialogue, discussion, and learner
participation and feedback;
CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION