Introduction to Health Education: History of Health Education

PRIOR TO THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS IN THE COUNTRY

• “Albularyos”, “Babaylans”

• Relied on indigenous ways and materials of treating the sick.

• Relied on superstitious beleifs and practices to explain ailments.

DURING THE INTRO OF RELIGIOUS ORDERS

• Awarding of nursing and medicine degrees. (1800s)

• Focused on teaching for the sake of transmitting knowledge only.

• No effort in understanding the learning process nor the learner.

History Education defined

• The act of providing information and learning experiences for purposes of behavior change for health
betterment of the client.

• Acquisition of knowledge thru exchange of information from the teacher and the learner.

• The totality of experiences which favorably influence habits, attitudes and knowledge relating to
individual, community and racial health.

• Process with intellectual, psychological and social dimensions relating to activities that increase the
abilities of people to make informed decisions affecting their personal, family and community well
-being.

Learning defined

• “A change in human disposition or capability that persists over a period of time and Is not simply
ascribable to processes of growth” – Gagné 1985.

• The process of acquiring new, or modifying existing knowledge, behavior’s, skills, values or
preferences.
Key Aspects of the process of health education

• It is a planned opportunity.

• It occurs in a specific setting.

• It is a program of series or events.

• It is based on what was previously learned.

• It comprehensively emphasizes how the various aspects of health interrelate.

• It includes interaction between the qualified educator and learner.

Purpose of health education

• 1. A means of propagating Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

• 2. May be used to modify or continue health behaviors if necessary

• 3. Provides health information and services

• 4. Emphasizes on good health habits and practices which is an integral aspect of culture, media and
technology

• 5. A means to communicate vital information to the public

• 6. It is also a form of advocacy

Types of health education

• 1. Information about human biology and hygiene.

• 2. Health services which direct individuals to a sensible use of health care resources.

• 3. National, regional and local education policies.

SUBSTANTIVE OR CURRICULAR DIMENSION

-Refers to subject matter specific to nursing education.

-best embodied by the phrase “what is taught and what is learned”.

-Listed in the curriculum which includes all basic elements and learning activities for a particular planned
purpose.

-Directed by a faculty member for a specific group of students.

-Also refers to providing opportunities to acquire essential knowledge, skills and attitudes.

PROCEDURAL OR METHODOLOGICAL DIMENSION

-Consists of strategies or methods of teaching which motivate students to learn.

-Includes learner activities.

-Common challenges encountered by teachers:

-Choosing the most appropriate methods

-Identifying which method will lead and direct learners in their own learning

- Initiation of lifelong process of learning.

ENVIRONMENTAL OR SOCIAL DIMENSION

-Refers to physical and social factors in the teaching – learning situation.

-Also includes extrinsic factors that capture the interest of the learner.

-Allows the students to differentiate between ideal and real.

-Physical factors include:

~ Classroom, Laboratories, Home-based / Hospital set-ups, Community health agencies

HUMAN RELATIONS DIMENSION

-Takes into account the relationship of the nurse with the individuals involved in nursing care.

- Includes:

~Learners/Patients, Teacher/Instructor, Administrator Other members of the health care team

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

-Concerned with how people behave and why they behave in a particular way.

- Includes:

- Psychological -Predispositions

~ Attitudes, Knowledge, Beliefs, Skills; and Experience

- Environmental reinforcement

~ Family, Friends, Authority Figures; and Associates

-Socio-cultural context

~Cultural beliefs, Cultural attitudes

PULIC HEALTH

-Health education relies on public health and health statistics for epidemiologic information such as:

~Environment, Medical care, Personal lifestyle

- Includes other issues such as:

~Population, Dynamics, Epidemiology

EDUCATION

-Refers to the study and practice of teaching and learning.

-Includes:

~Learning theories, Educational psychology, Human development, Pedagogy, Andragogy, Curriculum

1. Enhance Knowledge and Awareness

2. Promote health, safety, & security of the people

3. Develop and improve community resources

4. Increase productivity and strength of character

5. Disease prevention

6. Minimize cost

THE CHANGE PROCESS:

CHANGE

- To make or become different.

- To take or use another instead of.

- It is an instance of making or becoming different.

Guidelines that Help affect CHANGE in Learners

1. Perceive the need for change.

2. Initiate group interaction by:

A. Identify external and internal forces for change.

B. Stating the problem.

C. Identifying constraints.

D. List change strategies or possible approaches to problem – solving.

F. Formulate the plan for implementation; and

G. Develop or select tools for evaluating change.

3. Implement change one step at a time.

4. Evaluate the overall results of the change process and make further adjustments.

MANAGING CHANGE

Empirical – Rational Strategy

-Assumes that learners are rational, beings with mental facilities and behave according to their personal
beliefs, interests and motivation.

Normative / Re-educative Strategy

- Assumes that learners always act consistently with their commitment to socio-cultural norms of
behavior.

Power - Coercive Strategy

- Makes learners comply with instructions given by the teacher as an authoritative figure in order to
bring about change.

Factors affecting CHANGE

2. DEMOGRAPHICS

3. SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS and ENVIRONMENTAL CIRCUMSTANCES

4. STATE OF WELLNESS AND DEVELOPMENT

Effects of CHANGE on the Filipino Health Value System

1. Home Remedies

2. Traditional Healing Techniques

3. Supernatural Healing / Faith Healers

4. Regulated Drugs / Medicines

5. OTC Drugs