Page 100 - strategy of health education

 Counselors develop empathy (understanding and acceptance) for person’s

feelings. It is thinking by putting self on the shoe of the others.

 Counselors should never try to persuade people to accept their advice. Rather

help people to think about all the factors involved in their problems and
encourage them to choose the solutions that are best in their particular

situation.

 Counselors should always respect the privacy of the people they are helping.

They never reveal information without specific permission.

 Counselors should share information and ideas on resources, which the client

needs in order to make a sound decision. For example, many people do not

realize the connection between their behavior and their health.

An example of the problems that arise when a person is advised and forced

 During a home visit, one health extension worker (HEW) saw a mother with a

marasmic child. The child was so thin and very small for age.

 The HEW worried the child would die in a near future. She scolded the mother

for not taking to the clinic. The HEW persuaded the mother to take the child to

a hospital where nutrition rehabilitation is given and stay there until the child

would regain weight.

 The mother nodded her head in agreement. While she was packing her things

she began to cry.

 A brother of the women’s husband came to see what she was crying about.

The HEW explained, but the man become angry.

 He said there were many good reasons why the woman was crying. She was

worried because, if she stayed in hospital, there would be no one to care for her

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