Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 12

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering the following 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 12.1 (tests Learning Outcome 12.1)

What do you think are the most important elements of:

  • a.Health planning?
  • b.Health needs assessment?

Answer

  • a.Planning involves creative thinking. It is the process of making decisions about what needs to be done, when it will be done, where it will be done, who will do it, and with what resources. Planning is central to health education and health promotion activities.
  • b.Needs assessment is the process of identifying and understanding the health problems in your community, and their possible causes. This is used to analyse problems and set priorities for intervention.

SAQ 12.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3)

Which of the following statements about planning health education activities are false? In each case, explain what is incorrect.

A  Planning should be rigid.

B  Planning will create duplication of effort and activities.

C  Planning should be based on the local situation.

D  It is not important to consider the interests of local people when planning health education activities.

E  We should not worry about the availability of resources when we plan our health education activities.

Answer

A is false because planning is not rigid. You can adjust or modify your plan at any time.

B is false, planning helps you avoid duplication of activities.

C is true because the local situation is the foundation for all planning. A plan which is not based on local facts cannot be a good plan.

D  is false because engagement with the local community in health education activity is one of the core principles of planning. The interest and the needs of the community should be kept at the centre of planning.

E is false because a plan cannot be executed without sufficient resources. Resources are one of the important things that you should consider while planning health education activities.

SAQ 12.3 (tests Learning Outcome 12.4)

Below are the steps you need to go through when planning your health education activities, but they are not in the correct order. Match the steps to the numbers 1 to 6 in the order you should do them.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. Needs assessment

  2. Problem identification and prioritisation

  3. Setting goals and objectives

  4. Develop your strategy

  5. Implementation

  6. Monitoring and evaluation

  • a.3.

  • b.2.

  • c.5.

  • d.6.

  • e.4.

  • f.1.

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = f
  • 2 = b
  • 3 = a
  • 4 = e
  • 5 = c
  • 6 = d

SAQ 12.4 (tests Learning Outcomes 12.5 and 12.6)

Suppose you are asked to develop a health education plan for the community in which you are working. What are the three categories of needs assessment? What techniques might you use to conduct a health needs assessment?

Answer

Categories of needs assessment include health needs assessment, educational needs assessment, and resource needs assessment. In addition, information related to community resources and demographic characteristics should be collected during needs assessment.

Techniques of needs assessment include observation, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

SAQ 12.5 (tests Learning Outcome 12.5)

Derartu has conducted a health needs assessment to develop her health education activity plan. She has assessed the following needs. Which category of need would you put each of these into?

  • a.Lack of knowledge about the benefits of latrine use.
  • b.Lack of skill in using insecticide-treated bed nets.
  • c.Having a negative attitude towards condom use.
  • d.Condoms are not available in the village.
  • e.Belief that malaria is caused by drinking dirty water.

Answer

  • a.Educational
  • b.Educational
  • c.Educational
  • d.Resources
  • e.Educational.

Read Case Study 12.1 about Ms Tigist again, to see how her needs assessment covered a range of issues.

SAQ 12.6 (tests Learning Outcome 12.6)

Match the correct descriptions with each of the needs assessment techniques.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. Uses a checklist

  2. Used to explore individual beliefs

  3. Used when the subject is not sensitive

  4. Interviews with religious and other community leaders

  • a.Key informant

  • b.In-depth interview

  • c.Observation

  • d.Focus group discussion

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = c
  • 2 = b
  • 3 = d
  • 4 = a

Summary of Study Session 12