Concepts of Primary health care Ass.Prof:Dr:Essmat Gemaey

Objectives After completion of this session the student should be able to Define primary health care Discuss Purposes primary health care Compare Principles of primary health care Comprehend The Effectiveness of Primary Care Differentiate between Core Activities of Primary Health Care

Outlines Introduction Definition Purposes Principles of primary health care The Effectiveness of Primary Care Core Activities of Primary Health Care

Introduction Primary health care plays a central role in health care systems worldwide. It can offer families cost-effective services close to home, eliminating costly trips to specialists and hospitals. In developing countries, community health centers usually offer a broad range of services, including prenatal care, immunizations, treatment of childhood illnesses, treatment of malaria and other common infectious diseases, and other basic medical care.

Definition Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.

It forms an integral part both of the country's health system, of which it is the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community It is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and community with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process.

Purposes: making them the first point of contact with the health - These services are usually located in communities, making them the first point of contact with the health system for many individuals; - The services can handle a wide range of basic health conditions; - Patients are followed over time by the same primary care providers; -The services are coordinated with higher levels of the health system that can provide more specialized care when needed; and - These services can reach out to marginalized and underserved groups that might not otherwise seek or receive health care.

The Effectiveness of Primary Care In addition to offering cost-effective services primary health care necessitates a high priority in a country’s health strategy because it: • Reduces the disease burden. • Produces economic savings. By improving family health, primary care services can reduce the economic consequences of ill-health. Illnesses lower worker productivity and drain household assets. • Assures greater equity. Compared with higher levels of care, primary care services are more geographically, financially, and culturally accessible

Principles of Primary Health Care What are the principles of primary health care? Accessibility - People should have reasonable access to essential health services with no financial or geographical barriers. Appropriate Technology - Technology and modes of care should be based on health needs, and appropriately adapted to the community's social, economic and cultural development.

Community Participation - The public should be encouraged to participate in planning and making decisions about their own health care. Prevention and Health Promotion - Health systems should focus on helping people stay well instead of treating them when they become ill. Intersectoral Collaboration - Professionals from various sectors, including the health sector, work independently with community members to promote the health of the community.

Core Activities of Primary Health Care 1. Education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them. 2. Promotion of food supply, adequate supply of safe water. 3. An adequate supply of safe and proper nutrition. 4. Maternal and child health care, including family planning. 5. Immunization against the major infectious diseases. 6. Appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries. 7. Provision of essential drugs.

Primary health care focuses on: 􀂃 Maximum use of local resources, including traditional healers and trained community health workers 􀂃 Participation of the individual and the community 􀂃 Affordable and accessible care 􀂃 Integration of prevention, promotion, treatment and rehabilitation 􀂃 Coordination between the health care sector and other aspects of society, such as housing and education

Prevention is usually referred to as primary, secondary or tertiary and is not limited to that which takes place in primary care settings. Primary prevention consists of measures to prevent diseases, injuries, or conditions that can result in impairments or disabilities. For example, health education, immunization, maternal child health services, and safety promotion. It forms a major component of primary health care.

Secondary prevention Consists of early intervention in the treatment of diseases, injuries, or conditions to prevent development of impairments. Treatment of diseases (eg Tuberculosis) and injuries (eg fractures) may prevent impairments and hence disabilities. Tertiary prevention Includes measures to limit or reduce impairments or disabilities, for example, surgery to correct joint deformities. Treatment is likely to reduce impairment and may also reduce or eliminate the disabilities that can result from such impairments. It also includes the treatment of disabilities and therefore rehabilitation