Introduction to community health nursing

Community Health Nursing Related Definitions

Health: The state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease (WHO) Health care: It implies a broad spectrum of services including primary health care, integrated preventive and therapeutic services as well as control of environmental hazards

Community Health Nursing Related Definitions (continued)

Community: A community is a social group determined by geographical boundaries and/ or common value and interest A group of people sharing basic life features as geographical boundaries, working conditions and environment, common interests and health problems.

Community Health Nursing Related Definitions (continued)

Human health: Individual and group health is determined by:

Human biology Surrounding environment Community lifestyle and ways of life Health care system

Community health: refers to the health status of members of the community

Public Health Definition

Public health is the Science and Art of :

preventing disease, prolonging life, promoting health and efficiency through organized community effort.
(Winslow, 1920)

Definition of Community Health (ANA,2000

Community health nursing is a synthesis of nursing and public health practice applied to promoting and preserving the health of populations. Treat Population as a Whole Focus on individual, family, groups, community Utilizing Health promotion, health maintenance, health education, and management, coordination, and continuity of care for meeting population needs.

COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING DEFINITION:Community health nursing is a synthesis of nursing practice and public health practice applied in promoting and preserving the health of populations. The nature of this practice is general and comprehensive. It is not limited to a particular age or

diagnosis group. It is a continuous and not episodic. The dominant

responsibility is to the population as a whole. Therefore, nursing directed to individual, families or groups contributes to the health of

the total population.

OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING

To increase capability of individuals, families, groups and community to deal with their own health and nursing problems.

To strengthen community resources. To control and counteract environment To prevent and control communicable and non communicable diseases. To provide specialized services for mothers, children, adults, worker, elderly handicapped to eligible couples etc.

To conduct research To participate in preparing health personnel

to function in community for community

health care services.

To supervise, guide and health personnel in

carrying out their function effectively.

Concepts of Community and Concepts of Health

Community: A collection of people who interact with one another and who have common characteristics that form the basis for a sense of belonging. Population: All the people occupying an area or all those sharing one or more characteristics (Allender & Spradley 2001) Difference between population and community: Population do not necessarily interact with one another and do not necessarily share a sense of belonging to that group. Health: holistic state of well-being which includes soundness of mind, body and spirit (Allender & Spradley 2001) Wellness: The definition of health + the capacity to develop a persons potential to lead a fulfilling and productive life that can be measured in terms of quality of life ( Harper and Lambert 1994)

Characteristics of Community Health Nursing

It is a field of nursing It combines public health and nursing It focus in population and environment factors that may impact to peoples health It emphasize in health promotion, illness prevention, and wellness

Characteristics of Community Health Nursing

It promotes client responsibility and selfcare It uses aggregate measurement and analysis It use principle of organizational theory It involves inter-professional collaboration.

scope

Home care Nursing homes Mch and family planning School health nursing Community health nursing services Industrial nursing services

Domicillary nursing services Mental health nursing services Geriatric nursing services

principles

Established activity based on needs It is an agency has defined goals Depends on representative of the community Available to entire population Family as a unit of service Health education and councelling

Community participation Qualified person as a full fledged nurse Continuity of the services Periodic and continuing appraisal Serve as Important member of the community Supervision of community services

Does not provide any material relief Should not accept any gift Should not belongs to any political group it has Continuing education programme Professional development Develop proper guidelines in maintaining records and reports

Proper facilities and job conditions Maintain professional relationship and etics

Pubic Health is for:

The sanitation of environment, The control of communicable infections, The education of the individual in personal hygiene, The organization of medical and nursing services for The early diagnosis and preventive treatment of disease, and The development of the social machinery to insure everyone a standard of living adequate for the maintenance of health ,
Healthy Life Style and Longevity .

Community Health Practice

Health Promotion

1. Increase the span of healthy life for all citizens

2. Reduce health disparities among population groups

3. Achieve access to preventive services for everyone.

Roles of Community Health Nurses

Clinician
Researcher Educator

Nurses Leadership Advocate

Collaborator

Manager

Characteristics of community health nursing

it is a field of nursing it combines public health with nursing it is population-focused it emphasizes wellness it involves interdisciplinary collaboration it promotes clients responsibility and self care

Components of Community Health Practice

Six basic components
1.

2.
3. 4. 5. 6.

Promotion of health: The most important component of public health and community health practice ( Sourtzi et al. 1996; US department of health and human services 1998) Prevention of health problems Treatment of disorders Rehabilitation Evaluation Research

Setting for community health nursing practice

homes ambulatory service settings schools occupational health setting residential institutions the community at large

Opportunity for Future Community Health Nursing

Chronic Disease management Home Care Extended care from Acute care setting Elderly care Rehabilitation care in different population Health promotion in every level Health system referral, emphasize individual role and function of community health sector

Factors Influencing CHN Development in Society

1.

Advanced Technology:
By improving lifestyle, health care and nutrition, it has increased life expectancy

2.

3.
4. 5. 6.

Progress in causal thinking and diagnosis especially in epidemiology Changes in education Changing role of women Consumer Movement and changing demographics Economic forces