Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 4
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 4.1 (tests Learning Outcome 4.1)
What do you understand by the term ‘implementation’? Say why it is important in the work of a Health Extension Practitioner.
Why do you think that Health Extension Practitioners should be involved in leading their communities in health matters?
Answer
Implementation takes place when you put into action the various steps that are needed to make sure that your health goals are met. Just having plans and goals won’t improve the health of your community. You have to implement your plans and make sure they happen. Implementation will require leadership. Health Extension Practitioners know about the health issues that affect their communities and their leadership is important in implementing the plans that will improve the health of their community.
SAQ 4.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 4.1 and 4.2)
Imagine you are planning a project to test school students for HIV. How would you implement this health plan? Fill in the grid below to help you plan the things your team should do to help you in this task.
| Organising your team | HIV testing project |
|---|---|
| What is to be done? | |
| Where will the action take place? | |
| When will the action take place? | |
| What equipment is needed? | |
| How will the activity be arranged? | |
| Which members of the health team will be involved? | |
| Who outside the health team will be involved? | |
| Who will do what? | |
| Who will lead? | |
| Is all the necessary information available? | |
| Has the information been communicated? |
Answer
To undertake health activities in your community you will need to get organised and develop a team to help you. This may be a formal team such as a committee of students and young people. You will have to make sure that you lead the team and help them understand what they have to do, when they have to do it and who to report to about their actions.
| Organising your team | HIV testing project |
|---|---|
| What is to be done? | Get as many students as possible to attend for HIV testing |
| Where will the action take place? | In each school |
| When will the action take place? | At the beginning of the day during week 4 of term (or other specified time) |
| What equipment is needed? | We will need sufficient testing kits |
| How will the activity be arranged? | A room will be booked where there is some privacy |
| Which members of the health team will be involved? | Volunteer counsellors and the Health Extension Practitioners |
| Who outside the health team will be involved? | Teachers must also be included |
| Who will do what? | Teachers will be trained to support the students and encourage them to attend |
| Who will lead? | Health Extension Practitioners |
| Is all the necessary information available? | Get health education material and posters |
| Has the information been communicated? | Make sure posters are in place for a week before the testing activity is due to start |
SAQ 4.3 (tests Learning Outcome 4.5)
Using the grid below, describe how you would plan a meeting to discuss latrine use in your village.
| Purpose of meeting | |
| Main subject matter | |
| Type of meeting | |
| Size of meeting | |
| Place, time and duration of meeting | |
| Who is organising the meeting? | |
| Information about the meeting |
Answer
Your answer may be slightly different from this example.
| Purpose of meeting | To discuss with village leaders how to increase latrine use |
| Main subject matter | Latrine use and latrine building |
| Type of meeting | Committee meeting |
| Size of meeting | Ten people maximum |
| Place, time and duration of meeting | Afternoon when people have stopped work in the fields |
| Who is organising the meeting? | Health Extension Practitioners |
| Information about the meeting | Make sure all the right people are invited and know when to attend |
SAQ 4.4 (tests Learning Outcome 4.3)
What are the main stages of team building? How do you think knowledge of these stages will help you develop the teams to help you implement your health plans?
Answer
The main stages are usually considered to be forming, storming, norming and performing. Knowledge of these stages will help you build the teams that will help you meet your health goals. If you know about these stages you will be able to plan how the teams work at various stages in their development. For example, understanding that it is common for team members to disagree at the start, but they will move towards agreement by the end, will stop you worrying unnecessarily.
SAQ 4.5 (tests Learning Outcome 4.4)
Imagine you were trying to run a health club in a school in your village. How would you motivate the health team involved? It might help you to look at the list of motivational methods in Box 4.4.
Answer
To motivate the health team, you would need to:
- Take the time to meet with and listen to teachers and school students about the health club.
- Make sure that you provide the health club team with lots of feedback about how their club is doing.
- Provide relevant information about how the health club is helping to achieve the community health goals.
- Make sure the health club is always open, trusting and fun.
- Encourage new ideas, suggestions and initiatives.
- Personally thank team members for doing a good job.
Summary of Study Session 4