HEALTH EDUCATION

                                                      HEALTH EDUCATION

    DEFINITION OF HEALTH EDUCATION:

 Health education refers to all the ways and means whereby persons learn to acquire wholesome and scientific health practices.more specifically it is the organized procedures and teachings through which information beneficial to health spread.

                    Health education is the combination of two major disciplines-health and education -and is not just a channel for the communication of knowledge relative to health .people are motivated to adopt favourable attitudes and behavior towards health when the information sand suggestions are believed and accepted.

    

 HEALTH PROMOTION:

      It is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve health .it is not directed against any particular .disease.it is intended to strengthen the host through different interventions like;

               

              >Health education

              >Environmental modifications

              >Nutritional interventions

              >Life style and behavior change

       IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH EDUCATION:

          .Health education produces positive behavior changes in persons and communities.

          .Health education is a tool that enables peoples to take control over there own health and over the factors,which effect there health.

          .Health education leads to self empowerment.

          .Health education is a process by which;

                      :Values and attitudes are explored.

                      :Decisions are made and actions are taken.

   RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH EDUCATION:

         It is the duty of all conscientious persons dealing with other persons in every day life .It is usually said that the process of education and getting education start at birth and ends at death of every individual. So in childhood it is the responsibility of parents and other elder family members to educate their children for developing health behaviour. With the passage of time and as a child grows this responsibility extends from the family to the surrounding social environment and the key people in that environment.In health sectores it is the responsibility of every health worker coming in contact with people-doctors,nurses,and health visitors.It is also the responsibility of all health agencies-hospitals,clinics, MCH centers, and dispensaries.Teachers in school,especially at primary level,have an important role in the health education of pupils.They are in unique position to influence and develop desirable health habits and attitude towards health.

    STAGES OF HEALTH EDUCATION:

   .Stage of sensitization:In this stage the people are sensitized reagarding an emergent issue and message like,"AIDs causes death"."

   .Stage of publicity: In this stage media and all possible means of advertising are used to provide information to the public on themselves and become more knowledge able.

    .Stage of education:it is the stage of real education for the disinterested and illiterate peoples.the health education is given to them with the help of community leaders .

  PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH EDUCATION :

           Health education is a two way processing which communication plays a very important role .Mass media such a TV shows is more successful if discussion group are after the message or film.

   Key principles are;

   .interest find real and felt needs and learn to create awareness of community.

   .participation-group participation is the best way of active learning .

   .known to unknown start with the known things and then develop the ground for the unknown risk factors.

   .Renforrcement repetition is needed for a booster dose.

   .Good human relations learning atmosphere.