Module 2: Concepts of the Community PDF

MODULE 2: CONCEPTS OF THE COMMUNITY SHEELA MAE N. BAGACINA, MAN Clinical Instructor  CONCEPT OF THE COMMUNITY ◦ Introduction ◦ Types of Communities ◦ Characteristics of a Healthy Community ◦ Components of a Community ◦ Factors Affecting the Health of the Community ◦...

MODULE 2: CONCEPTS OF THE COMMUNITY SHEELA MAE N. BAGACINA, MAN Clinical Instructor  CONCEPT OF THE COMMUNITY ◦ Introduction ◦ Types of Communities ◦ Characteristics of a Healthy Community ◦ Components of a Community ◦ Factors Affecting the Health of the Community ◦ Characteristics of the Population ◦ Location of the Community ◦ Social Systems Within the Community ◦ Roles and Activities of a Community Health Nurse  CONCEPT OF THE COMMUNITY ◦ Introduction ◦ The role of the nurse in the Community is multifaceted and brings many challenges. In this course, we help you understand concepts at the core of Community Health Nursing, Types of the community, its components and characteristics of a healthy community, factors affecting the health of the community and the roles and responsibilities of a community health nurse.  Learning Objectives: 1. Upon completion of this module, the learner should be able to: 2. Define the types of the community 3. Describe the conditions affecting the health of a given community 4. Recognize the characteristics of a healthy community 5. Utilize the nursing process in managing community health nursing  I. TYPES OF A COMMUNITY ◦ Before discussing the types of community, let us first define a community. ◦ Definition: ◦ A community is a group of people that live at the same place and share some common characteristics. There are many types of communities that we are going to discuss in detail, but first, let us look at the standard features of a community. 3 Types of Community – Basic Communities ◦ There are three types of community, according to sociology. Following is a brief description of them: ◦ 1. Rural community – Types of Community ◦ The rural community can be characterized as a natural phenomenon. Every society has a rural community, no matter how distinct their culture or pattern of social life is. People who have extreme similarities in objectives and ambitions of living, shape up a community that is a product of natural, free will. ◦ Agriculture is a fundamental part of the identity of a rural community. People of rural communities have a higher degree of homogeneity in their character and more face to face interaction with each other. ◦ Necessary facilities such as schools, hospitals, police stations, etc. are mostly absent from such a community life. Such communities are often perceived as ‘backward’ due to a lack of proper infrastructure. Typically, inhabitants of a rural community have to travel to the nearest city or town for access to necessary facilities like medical care, etc. ◦ Rural communities are mostly made up of smaller populations that spread out to self- sustaining areas where natural resources are readily available. ◦ 2. Sub-urban Types of Community ◦ Suburban communities are often perceived as intermediate to rural and urban communities. That is why it is known as “suburban.” They are more abundant in population as compared to the rural community and less in number relative to an urban community. Such communities are often out-lying a larger city. They have limited resources and little political autonomy. ◦ Sub-urban areas are often referred to as single-family homes or housing divisions that are closer to each other. ◦ Apartments are uncommon in a suburban community. Suburban areas mostly began to emerge in the 19th and 20th centuries as a result of improved infrastructure such as railroad transport that facilitated commuting. Suburban communities are mostly settled around an abundance of adjacent flat land. In some countries, such suburban areas are referred to as “neighborhood” of cities or a “town.” ◦ 3. Urban community ◦ An urban community is often perceived as the opposite of a rural community. The lifestyle of an urban community is highly impersonal, complex, and heterogeneous in their identities and lifestyle. ◦ Communities are the product of rational choice. There is a complex division of labor with specialization in professions and jobs, which shapes up the identity of an urban community. Modern facilities and infrastructure are also central to urban communities. State officials and diplomatic activities are also fundamental to urban communities. ◦ Urban communities are based on a larger population, and most often, urban areas are overcrowded due to it. ◦ As we have discussed, three types of community, primarily. Now let us move forward to the organizational typology of communities that was proposed by Schubert and Borkman in 1991. ◦ These are based on organizational structures. However, this typology is intended to explain self-help groups, but they help in giving broader insight into the type of communities. They help to understand various forms of organizational systems. Five Types of Community – Organizational Communities ◦ Organizations are another big form of communities to consider. In this section on the ‘types of communities ‘, we have included the different types of organizational communities for your ease and understanding. ◦ Following are the five types of communities according to organizational typology: ◦ 1. Unaffiliated ◦ It is among the types of community that is based on individuals who are not closely associated with each other. This can also account for subordination in some cases. Such community members are not designated or affiliated with a community or board. ◦ They might only be present at any validly convened meeting where their action is required for a common objective. ◦ 2. Federated ◦ Such communities are associated with each other due to a common purpose or cause. They cooperate in a standard and collective environment. It can be seen as a partially individualistic and unified community. ◦ 3. Affiliated Types of Community ◦ Affiliated communities are the ones that have some commonality or shared interest among its members due to a connection to an organization. For example, an affiliated military community would mean that they spend some portion of their life has a direct link to military lifestyle such as servicing in the military or having a kinship, etc. ◦ 4. Hybrid ◦ A hybrid community is one of the types of community that is based on the model of a hybrid society that has two or more modes of subsistence. For example: transitioning from one state to another like agrarian to industrial. A modern-day hybrid community is based on socio-technical advancements, such as the emergence of virtual communities. ◦ 5. Managed Types of Community ◦ It is a type of managed community where some management exists for the coherence of the community. 5 Common Features of a Community ◦ 1. Interest ◦ People with common interests or passions can together form a community. For example, a community of pianists. These communities don’t have much strict code of rules, because they are limited to the breadth & scope of the Interest. ◦ 2. Actions ◦ A community can also be made up of people who are acting together to bring a change. For example, a community of feminists. There can be various shades of such types of communities as well. Every culture & philosophy interprets these actions differently. ◦ 3. Place ◦ Co-existence in a geographical area can also be shape up a community. For example, a community of Muslim ex-pats in Poland. This is a hybrid form of both the Interest & Action types of communities. The geographical location serves also in the concept of Nationalism & Nation-states. ◦ 4. Practice ◦ Communities can be formed by people who are from the same profession or undertake the same activities. For example, A community of young doctors. These communities are both at national & international level. ◦ 5. Circumstance ◦ Some communities are brought together by external events or situations. For example, a community of refugees.  II. COMPONENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY ◦ “A healthy, equitable community is one that offers complete social, physical and mental well-being to all its residents at all stages of life and has the following themes embedded across all the components: accessibility, affordability, stability, diversity, safety, equity.” ◦ A. Healthy Housing ◦ “Stable and affordable housing protects health and provides the ability to engage in healthy opportunities” ◦ Healthy, Stable and Affordable Housing Socially integrated housing that is stable and affordable, near transit, appropriate for all income and generational levels, has healthy indoor air quality and is free of pests, mold and similar negative conditions and energy efficiency. ◦ Health Connection ◦ Housing is the cornerstone of a healthy community. Housing enables people to build roots in a community — get to know their neighbors, build a social network of support, and become civically engaged. ◦ B. Healthy Neighborhoods ◦ “Complete neighborhoods make it easy for residents to be healthy every day in their communities by making the healthy choice, the easy choice.” ◦ Complete Neighborhoods and Communities "People-centered” design with residential, businesses, services, schools, jobs, recreation and transit in close proximity, high quality infrastructure and street design with good lighting and landscaping to support mixed uses, transit and walkability. ◦ Health Connection ◦ Complete neighborhoods promote health by creating opportunities for everyday physical activity, access to healthy foods, growing the local economy, and supporting social connections. ◦ C. Healthy Schools ◦ “High-quality education creates pathways to better health.” ◦ High-Quality Education System Strong programs from K-12 to college level and trade schools, universal childhood and enrichment programs, affordable afterschool programs and childcare, and opportunities for youth career and skill development and adult education. ◦ Health Connection ◦ Education is one of the top three determinants of health outcomes. ◦ The more education someone has, the healthier they are. ◦ Students who eat a healthy breakfast are better prepared to learn. ◦ Children who get regular physical activity perform better. ◦ D. Healthy Economy ◦ “A strong local economy builds household financial security for all and promotes everyone’s health. “ ◦ Thriving and Inclusive Economy Diverse local small businesses, economic opportunities with family, supportive wages/benefits, fair labor practices, job skills trainings, and community support of new and current businesses. ◦ ◦ Health Connection ◦ Financial insecurity makes it difficult to afford and meet basic needs, leading to higher rates of depression and stress, and subsequently more health problems. ◦ People with higher incomes and more wealth live longer. ◦ Cardiovascular, asthma, obesity, overweight, and diabetes are highest among low-income people. ◦ Places with income equality tend to be healthier. III. FACTORS AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY ◦ A community has three features: People, Location and Social System (Allender et al., 2009; Hunt, 2009) Factors related affect the health status of the community. ◦ Characteristics of the Population ◦ People ◦ Population variables affect the health of the community include size, density, composition, rate of growth or decline, cultural characteristics, mobility, social class, and educational level (Allender et al., 2009) ◦ Population size and density influence the number of size of health care institutions. This explains the concentration of health care institutions in urban areas. Negative effects of overcrowding include: easy spread of communicable disease; increased stress among members of the community; rapid degradation of housing facilities; and water, air and soil pollution. On the other hand, sparsely populated areas, like rural areas, have limited resources, resulting in difficulty in providing health services. ◦ 2. Location of the Community ◦ Location ◦ The health of the community is affected by both natural and man-made variables related to location. Natural factors consist of geographic features, climate, flora, and fauna. Community boundaries, whether the community is urban or rural, the presence of open spaces, the quality of the soil, air, and water, and the location of health facilities are influenced by human decisions and behavior (Benson, 1980; Allender et a., 2009). ◦ 3. Social System Within the Community ◦ A social system is the patterned series of interrelationships existing between individuals, groups, and institutions and forming s coherent whole (Meriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2012b). Social components that affect health include family, economic, educational, communication, political, legal, religious, recreational, and health systems (Allender et a., 2009.) IV. ROLES AND ACTIVITIES OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE ◦ Functions of Community Health Nurse: ◦ There are seven major functions of community health nurse, those are mentioned in the following: 1. Clinician, 2. Educator, 3. Advocate, 4. Managerial, 5. Collaborator, 6. Leader, 7. Researcher. ◦ Roles and Responsibilities of Community Health Nurse: ◦ Some key roles and responsibilities of community health nurse have discussed in the below: ◦ 1. Clinician Role or Direct care provider: ◦ The clinician role in the community health nurse means, the nurse ensures health care services, not just to individuals and families but also to groups and population of the community. For community health nurses the clinician role involves certain emphasis different from basic nursing, i.e. – Holism, health promotion, and skill expansion ◦ 2. Educator Role: ◦ It is widely recognized that health teaching is a part of good nursing practice and one of the major functions of a community health nurse (Brown, 1988). Assesses the knowledge, attitudes, values, beliefs, behaviors, practices, stage of change, and skills of the community people and provide health education according to knowledge level. ◦ 3. Advocate Role: ◦ The issue of clients’ rights is important in health care today. Every patient or client has the right to receive just equal and human treatment. Community health nurse is an advocate of patient’s rights in relation to their care. They encourage the individuals to take right food for maintaining health, right drugs for the treatment and right services at right place where ever needed. they provide sufficient information to make necessary health care decision, promote community awareness of significant health problems. ◦ 4. Managerial Role: ◦ As a manager the nurse exercises administrative direction towards the accomplishment of specified goals by assessing clients’ needs, planning and organizing to meet those needs, directing and controlling and evaluating the progress to assure that goals are met. ◦ 5. Collaborator Role: ◦ Community health nurses seldom practice in isolation. They must work with many people including clients, other nurses, physicians, social workers and community leaders, therapists, nutritionists, occupational therapists, psychologists, epidemiologists, biostaticians, legislators, etc. as a member of the health team (Fairly 1993, Williams, 1986). ◦ 6. Leader Role: ◦ Community health nurses are becoming increasingly active in the leader role. As a leader, the nurse instructs, influences, or persuades others to effect change that will positively affect people’s health. The leadership role’s primary function is to useful change of health policy based on community people health; thus, the community health nurse becomes an agent of change. ◦. Research Role: ◦ In the researcher role community health nurses engage in systematic investigation, collection and analysis of data for the purpose of solving problems and enhancing community health nursing practice. Based on the research result community nurse improve their service quality and improve community people health.  What Are the Responsibilities of a Community Health Nurse? ◦ Community health nurses possess strong clinical and critical thinking skills and have the analytical ability to solve problems and make decisions. They can adapt their nursing care to the needs of a diverse group of patients. A community health nurse's job may include these responsibilities: ◦ Administering well-baby assessments and vaccinations. ◦ Directing expectant and new mothers to healthcare resources so they can receive proper care for themselves and their infants. ◦ Conducting education programs or handing out information about lead poisoning, substance abuse, dangers of smoking, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. ◦ Stopping the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, influenza or hepatitis. ◦ Aiding the elderly in managing chronic health conditions. ◦ Providing care to sick or injured children and adults.