Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 19

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering theses 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 19.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 19.1 and 19.2)

What do you understand by the word community? Describe some of the features that bind your community together.

Answer

A community is a group of people who share some common interests and live within a geographically defined area; community members tend to have a common language, culture, or values and norms.

SAQ 19.2 (tests Learning Outcome 19.3)

Why is community mobilisation important when tackling health issues?

Answer

Community mobilisation is important when tackling health issues because it has advantages such as:

  • local ownership and the sustainability of the programmes
  • motivating the people and encouraging participation
  • building community capacity to identify and address community needs, and empowering the community
  • helping to mobilise local resources.

SAQ 19.3 (tests Learning Outcome 19.3)

List the steps in the community mobilisation action cycle.

Answer

Here are the steps of the community mobilisation action cycle:

Step 1  Identify a significant health problem.

Step 2  Plan and select a strategy to solve the problem (conduct influential people’s workshop for sensitisation on the issue).

Step 3  Identify key actors and stakeholders (village chief, Imam, heads of families, etc.)

Step 4  Mobilise these key actors and stakeholders for action (discussions and agreement on what to do and how).

Step 5  Implement activities to work towards a solution (capitalise on the sensitisation of the people in the workshop, and intensify this through various follow-up activities).

Step 6  Assess the results of the activities carried out to solve the problem.

Step 7  Improve activities, based on the findings of the assessment.

Summary of Study Session 19