Skills in Health Promotion PDF

SKILLS IN HEALTH PROMOTION  ADVOCACY This is described as a combination of individual and social actions design to gain political commitment, policy support, social acceptance and systems support for a particular health goal or programme (WHO, 1995). It is an act or the process of supporting...

SKILLS IN HEALTH PROMOTION  ADVOCACY This is described as a combination of individual and social actions design to gain political commitment, policy support, social acceptance and systems support for a particular health goal or programme (WHO, 1995). It is an act or the process of supporting a cause or an issue. Advocacy can also be defined as the promotion of a cause or the influencing of policy, finding streams or other politically determined activity.  There are three approaches to advocacy: advocacy for, with and by the poor or those affected by a situation. It is undertaking on behalf of individuals and groups. Advocacy is used to address barriers like poor living and working conditions and plays a key role in building and maintaining occupational health programme and it essential in shaping the social and political climate. Deals with prevention at all levels that is primary, secondary and tertiary, and used to create essential conditions for health.  The most sustainable advocacy is often done by those who are directly affected by a situation. Many advocacy initiatives will use all three approaches at different times. Advocacy takes place at all levels decision-making, because, decisions taken at the top levels affect those at the lower levels, and also actions taken at lower levels can determine policies at higher levels. Examples of different levels decision making include, International, National, Regional, Municipal, District, Sub- district, Community, Family and Interpersonal level. Goals of Advocacy 1.Protection of the vulnerable (Representational advocacy) 2.Empowerment of the disadvantaged (Facilitation advocacy) Advocacy involves the following; 1.Asking why… 2.Ensuring power is used well… 3.Education… 4.Seeking justice… 5.Bringing change… 6.Being a voice… 7.Capacity building… 8.Networking… Roles of an Advocate Speak for people Mediate Speak with people Demonstrate the practice to Enable people to speak for people or policy makers themselves Model Empower Bargain for something Facilitate communication Build coalition between people Negotiation Is defined as a discussion set up or intended to produce settlement or agreement. The health worker talks or walks with others to achieve a transaction or van agreement. For healthful behavior to be achieved there is the need for the health promoter to negotiate with individuals and groups after a presentation. The Art of Negotiation 1.Speaking simply and directly 2.Explaining ideas logically and systematically 3.Explaining the beliefs held by the client 4.Attempting to correct misconception using visual aids 5.Motivating client to discuss concrete behaviour changes 6.Summarizing key information 7.Checking for understanding 8.Demonstrating procedures 9.Making appointments to confirm follow-up steps LOBBYING This is a form of advocacy with the intention of influencing decisions made by legislature and officials in the government. It is the process of seeking to influence, legislation, or persuading, or supporting one’s cause. In lobbying, the lobbyist persuades authority or people of concern to give in by doing what the lobbyist wants. It is undertaking by individuals, other legislatures, constituencies or advocacy groups. A lobbyist is a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest or a member of a lobby. Types of Lobbying Inside Lobbying: This takes place among the very important personalities in authority. It includes meeting with law makers and legislative staff so that they can formulate healthy policies, providing analysis and information to committee and legislative officers so that they will be convinced about their actions, testifying to committees to gain their support. Invariably, this type of lobbying is carried out by, or in coordination with advocates who work on a regular basis, such as members if the national, regional and the district on health issues to gain their support.  Outside Lobbying: An effective lobbying campaign also requires activity outside the immediate authority. These include; Media activities such as, news conferences, editorial board visits and assisting reporters with stories. Local lobbying visits by community members to their legislators Building their board and divers coalitions to support health Grassroots activities such as rallies and durbars in the context of health.  Tips on how to Lobby 1.Establish your agenda and goals 2.Listen well 3.Do not behave and feel like an expert 4.Do not stay too long 5.Remember that you are there to build a relationship 6.Follow-up is important 7. Be polite, willing to speak, never harassed and threatening. 8.Be well informed and know your facts, 9. Be persuasive, concise and don’t argue or make up and answer  Ethics in Lobbying 1.Avoid bribes 2.No lying 3. No harassment  MEDIATION This consist of the process of alternative dispute resolution in which a neutral party (the mediator), using appropriate techniques, assist two or more parties to help them negotiate an agreement with concrete effect on a matter of common interest. Generally the term mediation covers any activity in which an impartial third party, usually a professional, facilitates an agreement on any matter in the common interest of the parties involved. In health promotion, mediation is a process through which the different interest (personal, social, economic) of individuals and communities, and different sector (public and private) are reconciled in ways that promote and protect health.  Producing change in people’s lifestyle and living conditions inevitably produces conflicts between the different sectors and interest in a population. Such conflict may arise, for example, from concerns about access to, use and distribution of resources, or constraints on individual or organizational practices. Some basic principles in mediation include the fact that it involves all concerned parties and the need to have information gathering tools. It is important to practice active listening, repeat technique, probe further and checkout silence.  Mediation has no formal pattern however, some common elements usually occur such as: 1. The identification of issues which is usually facilitated by the mediator 2. Each party is allowed to explain the details of his/her story. 3. Identification of options 4. Discussion and analysis of the possible effects of various solutions 5. The adjustment and the refining of the proposed solution 6. The substantiation of the agreements into a written draft if need be.  Process of Mediation 1.Welcome all to the meeting 2.An introduction by the mediator that includes establishing ground rules suggested by the mediator and the parties involved in the issue. 3.Let the parties tell their stories in an uninterrupted manner 4.Ask questions to clarify issues. 5. Separate and discuss issue with each party 6.Discover the parties’ underlying interests and concerns related to the issues 7.The parties’ generation of options that may resolve the dispute 8.The reality of testing the options leading to one option that best resolves the issues for all the parties. Work towards points of agreement Some benefits and drawbacks of mediation 1.Less expensive 2.Not time consuming 3.Parties deal directly with each other 4.Agreements may lead to frustration and time wasting 5.Employing lawyers may increase the cost 6.Skilled mediator is necessary  RESEARCH Research basically means to investigate into a phenomenon or an occurrence. Types of research 1.Basic research: this is done to gather information about something 2.Applied research: applying some knowledge or skills to see its effectiveness 3.Quantitative research: deals with figures, used to find out how many people are involve in a situation or how much something is needed or used. 4.Qualitative research: deals with words; it is carried out when there is less or no information about a phenomenon.  Benefits of research 1.Acquisition of knowledge on health issues 2.Development and manufacture of good equipment for use 3.Safe and effective nursing care.  Roles of the nurse in research 1.Compiles data during the study 2.Assesses information, reviews and enter into database 3.Recruits patients as subjects, vetting them to ensure that they qualify as participants 4.The technical nature of the role requires him to pay close attention to details so that no errors are made. 5.Prompt reporting of adverse event fundamental to patient protection and as responsibility of the nurse.