Personal and Communal Health (PCH)

Aims of Hygiene

• To keep the body healthy and give one confidence
• To prevent spread of germs to other people and prevent illness
• To promote a good standard of living

Personal and Communal Health (P.C.H)

This is the health care system that concerns itself with the health of an individual and the community.

Aims of Personal and Communal Health (P.C.H)

• To provide, promote, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care to individual and community as a whole, i.e., bringing them to a complete physical, mental and social well-being.
• Provide nurses with knowledge and skills of maintaining an individual health through health education.
• Health being a basic of human right which should be attainable at higher level. This helps nurses to work without discrimination. All should be treated equally.
• It helps nurses to overcome the challenges that may arise during counseling or advising patients, relatives and community members.
• Helps nurses to provide good care to patients who are unable to perform since they know the importance.

How Can We Promote Good Health?

• Through health education, e.g., clean water, sanitation.
• Residing in good houses.
• Good nutrition.
• Immunization.
• Having good relationship with the community.
• Proper planning by the government [MOH].
• Emphasis on environmental hygiene.

Components of P.C.H

• General health measures.
• Food hygiene.
• Clean water supply.
• Environmental sanitation [waste disposal].
• Good housing.
• Vector control.
• Treatment of infections and other diseases.

P.C.H as a Subject

This subject includes all matters which affect the health of people either an individual in their own homes or as members of the community such as villages or towns.

This subject can be sub-divided into:

• Personal hygiene.
• Public or community or social hygiene.

Dimensions of Health

Overall health and wellness are interdependent on several dimensions. For a person to be considered truly "healthy," all these dimensions should be in balance.

• Physical Health: The state where all body parts are anatomically intact and performing their physiological functions correctly. It implies the absence of disease or pathology and the body's ability to cope with everyday stresses.
• Mental Health: Relates to cognitive abilities and well-being. It includes the ability to think clearly, reason, make judgments, perceive things as they are, and understand social structures.
• Emotional Health: The ability to recognize, express, and regulate emotions appropriately in response to stimuli. It involves showing appropriate reactions and managing feelings effectively.
• Social Health: The ability to form satisfying interpersonal relationships with others. This involves effective communication, building networks, and understanding and accepting diverse cultures.
• Spiritual Health: Relates to a person's sense of purpose and meaning in life. It is the vital force or spirit that animates humans; an imbalance here can affect overall well-being.

Determinants of Health

A person's health is determined by their circumstances and environment. These factors, known as determinants, can either protect and improve health or create risks.

• Income and Social Status: Higher income and social status are linked to better health. Greater economic stability allows for better access to nutrition, housing, and healthcare.
• Education Level: Low education levels are often linked with poorer health, more stress, and lower self-confidence. Education equips people with the knowledge to make healthier choices and access better employment.
• The Physical Environment: This includes the safety of water, housing conditions, air quality, and working conditions. A clean and safe physical environment reduces exposure to diseases and hazards.
• Health Service Access: The availability and accessibility of quality health services for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment directly impact the health of individuals and communities.
• Other determinants include: Personal health practices and coping skills, healthy child development, social support networks, and genetics.

Health Indicators

Health indicators, also referred to as health variables or health indices, are measurable characteristics of a population that provide insights into its health status. These indicators serve several essential roles in the realm of healthcare management, including description, prediction, explanation, system oversight, evaluation, advocacy, accountability, research, and the assessment of gender disparities.

Types of Health Indicators

Health indicators are typically classified into two main categories: vital indicators and behavioral indicators.

Vital Indicators:

These encompass a wide range of measures that provide critical information about the health of a population. Some key types of vital health indicators include:

Behavioral Health Indicators:

In contrast to vital indicators, behavioral health indicators focus on the actions, behaviors, and attitudes of individuals and communities regarding healthcare. Some examples of behavioral health indicators include:

• Utilization of Services: These indicators measure the extent to which healthcare services are accessed by the population, including factors like hospital admissions, doctor visits, and preventive screenings.
• Compliance Rates: Compliance indicators assess the adherence of individuals to recommended treatments, medications, and health guidelines.
• Population Attitudes: Behavioral indicators also encompass surveys and data related to public perceptions and attitudes regarding health and healthcare facilities.