Health Education THeories BMS 361 Principles of Learning and Health Education Health Education THeories Dr. Fatmah Almoayad

Outline Theories and models and the difference between them. The importance of theories and models for HE. Main streams for HE theories.

What is a theory It is a set of interrelated concepts, definitions and prepositions that present a systematic view of events or situations by specifying relations among variables in order to explain and predict.

Why do we need them Guidance and explanation Planning Implementing Evaluating

Models A construct that help understand a specific topic, situation. Can combine more than one theory. Widely used in HE to help explain the complex interrelated concepts.

For successful use of theory we need to identify our goal

What is the main goal of health education Help people maintain and improve their health, reduce disease risks, and manage chronic illness. Ultimately the goal is to improve the well-being and self sufficiency of individuals, families, organizations, and communities.

What is needed to achieve HE goals? Behavior change.

Most successful HE interventions Based on an understanding of targeted health behaviors. Based on an understanding of environmental context in which they occur. Guided by models that are based on health behavior theories.

Example 1 Example 2 Target health behaviour Promote fruits and vegetable intake among children Promote breast feeding among pregnant women Environed context Schools where unhealthy food is being sold. Understand the pressure of fast food chain. Pregnant women in OB/Gyn clinic HE model Theory of planned behaviour Transtheoritical model of change

How are health behavior theories useful? A toolbox: Understand behaviors design and evaluate. A foundation: For evidence based interventions.

How are health behavior theories useful? A road map: Studying problems Developing interventions Identifying indicators Evaluating impacts

How are health behavior theories useful? A guide: Processes for changing health behavior. Influences of forces that affect it. A compass: Target audiences Methods for fostering change Outcomes for evaluation

What is the best theory in HE There no one theory dominates health education. some theories focus on individuals while others examine change within families, institutions, communities and cultures. Addressing a health issue may require more than one theory, and no one theory is suitable for all cases.

Which theory should I adopt? Before you choose remember No one theory dominates health education practice The contexts in which health behavior occurs are evolving. A theory should be chosen based on the topic and target population

Which theory should I adopt Logical Consistent with everyday observations Similar to those used in previous successful programmes. Supported by past research in the same area or related ideas.

The most common model Planning model. It provides a framework that help educators to plan. It does not predict or explain behaviours and it needs to be supported by one that does.

Planning Model Engaging and understanding the priority population Assessing the needs and assets of the priority population Developing programme goals and objectives Planning an intervention Implementing the intervention Evaluating the intervention Planning Model

Main streams of Health Education theories Models of Intrapersonal capacity (individual health behavior). Models of Interpersonal relationships and support (social influence). Models of environmental support and context.

Models of Intrapersonal capacity Individual characteristics that influence behaviour, such as knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and personality traits

Models of Intrapersonal capacity These models attempt to modify individuals’ characteristics: Awareness and knowledge. Beliefs. Opinions and attitudes. self-efficacy. Intentions. Skills and personal power.

Models of Interpersonal supports Interpersonal processes and primary groups, including family, friends and peers that provide social identity, support and role definition

Models of Interpersonal support (social learning) People create and are influenced by their surroundings (two way process). “reciprocal determinism” is what differentiates social learning theory from the belief that all behavior is a one- way product of the environment The social environment includes family members, co- workers, friends, health professionals, and others. Social environment affects behavior and consequently health.

Environmental contexts Institutional factors Rules, regulations, policies and informal structures, which may constrain or promote recommended behavior. Community factors Social networks and norms, or standards, which exist formally or informally among individuals, groups and organizations. Public policy Local, state and federal policies and laws that regulate or support healthy actions and practices for disease prevention, early detection, control and management.

Models of Environmental support Encompassed the broader aspects of health promotion. Organizes communities and enables them to have greater control over their health.

The focus of HE Health education’s focus is concentrated on– intrapersonal and interpersonal – and to a lesser extent on the– environmental supports – which is more within the broader realm of health promotion.

Any questions?