Page 98 - strategy of health education

Teaching Strategies (Methods and Materials)

Health education is the development of individual, group, institutional,

community and systemic strategies and focuses specifically on ways to improve

health knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviour using various approaches to

positively influence the health behaviour of individuals and ultimately the
health of communities.

Sometimes teaching strategies are called ways to put across the health messages

Types of Teaching Strategies

1. Direct: Interpersonal (Individual and groups)

2. Indirect: Mass media and visual aids

Transmission of information effectively depends on choosing the appropriate

educational strategy. For example, when trying to change in a tradition, the

resistance is anticipated so, intensive integrated interpersonal educational

efforts are indicated. While, when trying to change in a low behviour resistance,

mass media can be used. E.x. When trying to change the belief and tradition of

female circumcision is more resistance issue so, the appropriate educational

strategy is using interpersonal one while, when trying to change the behavior of

not seeking the medical advice in family planning methods utilization, the

appropriate strategy is mass media to be used.

The important thing to remember is that effective health communication is

seldom achieved through the use of one method alone. Nearly always, a

combination of techniques is needed to achieve behavior changes. Both

effectiveness and costs must be considered in choosing a combination of

techniques. Besides, selection of local media is appreciably useful.

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