Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 1

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 1.1 (tests Learning Outcome 1.1)

What do you understand by the following terms?

  • Health
  • Health education
  • Health promotion.

Answer

Health: When broadly defined, it is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. According to this definition physical, social and psychological factors all contribute to health.

Health education: Health education is part of healthcare that is concerned with promoting positive health behaviours.

Health promotion: According to the Ottawa Charter ‘Health promotion is defined as the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health’. Health promotion is aimed at reducing the underlying causes of ill-health so that there is a long term reduction in many diseases.

SAQ 1.2 (tests Learning Outcome 1.2)

Give three examples of health education activities you could do as a Health Extension Practitioner at community level to improve the health of your local community?

Answer

Distributing insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to control malaria, immunizing against measles and other types of vaccination among small children, and promoting breastfeeding, good nutrition in pregnancy, latrine construction and providing family planning services are all examples of health education activities.

SAQ 1.3 (tests Learning Outcome 1.3)

Which of the following statements correctly refer to basic features of health education and which are false? In each case, state what is correct or incorrect.

A  Health education is solely concerned with giving people information about health issues.

B  Good health education begins with diagnosis of the health problems of a community.

C  Community participation is optional in health education. Most of the time it is not required.

D  Using a mix of media in health education increases the chances of your health messages being understood and acted upon.

Answer

Statement A is false. Although talking at people, one-way communication, has some role in health education (for example when giving a talk), it is only a small part of the overall picture which includes many activities that are interactive.

Statement B is true. Initial diagnosis is crucial for beginning to build up health education. If you don’t understand a problem and its context, any health education activity will only be hit and miss.

Statement C is false. Community participation is central. You do health education with people not at them.

Statement D is true. A media mix will help you appeal to more people — if they don’t understand one part of your message the chances are they may be able to understand another part of your message in another medium.

Summary of Study Session 1