communicating the science of health in informal settings
TRANSCRIPT
COMMUNICATING THE SCIENCE OF HEALTH IN INFORMAL SETTINGS
Dr F. SenkubugeUniversity of Pretoria, School of Health Systems and Public Health, South Africa
Introduction
Health is defined by the WHO as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity.
Introduction
Public health has seen an increase in the use of self-rated health as a measure of health status of populations.
In epidemiological research self-rated health is frequently used as a measure of assessing health perceptions.
Introduction
A number of studies have shown self-rated health to be a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality.
The most frequently used single item measure is the non-comparative, which asks “would you rate your general health as poor, fair, good or excellent?”
Introduction
Molarius et al. found that in Sweden, poor self-rated health had the strongest association with:
- economic hardship.- lack of social support. - employment status.
Also that physical inactivity, underweight and obesity were independently related with poor self-rated health.
Introduction
In Social disparities in health and health service still exist in South Africa .
It is estimated that approximately 40% of South Africans are living in poverty - most commonly in female-headed households and among black Africans.
The Gini coefficient for South Africa, which reflects inequality, remains high and its estimated at 0,6.
Introduction
Sociological theories have suggested that inequality determines asses to messages
Exposure to health messaging in South Africa by health professionals is usually through the visit to a health facility.
Given the high levels of poor access to health care populations would therefore have health messaging from sources other than health professionals.
Study
Senkubuge , Ayo-Yusuf :Lifestyle and social conditions associated with self- rated health in South- Africa
2003/2004 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS).
Results
Of the respondents, 40.3% (n=3236) rated their health as good/excellent.
59.7
40.3
Poor/average
Good/excellent
Frequency distribution of sample socio-demographic characteristics
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Percentage
poor
good
/exc
elle
nt
mal
e
fem
ale
blac
k
colo
ured
indi
an
whi
te
othe
r(un
defin
ed)
low
est
mid
dle
high
est
no yes
no c
over
age
cove
red
Selfratedhealth
Sex Race SES Paidwork in
pastyear
Medicalaid
coverage
Characteristics
Socio-demographics and lifestyle frequency distribution by low SES and good self-rated health (n = 8,060).
Characteristics %Low SES (n) p-value %Good SRH (n) p-valueGender 0.23 <0.01
Male 26.1%(889) 45.3%(1490)Female 24.7%(1192) 36.5%(1746)
Race <0.01Black 29.6%(1896) 36.8%(2159)Coloured 9.3%(178) 45.9%(467)Asian/Indian 0.8%(5) 55.6%(384)White 0 71.7%(211)Other† 9.9%(1) 55.2%(10)
SES <0.01Lowest - - 32.5%(654)Middle - - 36.3%(1231)Highest - - 51.6%(1305)
Tobacco use <0.01 <0.01No use 24.3%(1386) 41.8%(2423)Snuff 33.9%(175) 21.8%(105)Smoking 26.6%(496) 40.6%(693)Snuff and Smoking 34.6%(16) 6.1%(5)
Alcohol use <0.01 <0.01No Use 26.4%(1458) 38.5%(2201)Not problem 17.6%(273) 53.0%(648)Problem Drinker 29.4%(350) 33.5%(387)
The process
Setting
Setting
Science cafes -Model
Communicate health messages in all settings .
- Restaurants- Pubs- Hospital cafeterias- Campuses- Schools
Speakers
Include: expert health professionals in their area of speciality
Emphasis on simple lay language Use of everyday events and concerns to
illustrate health. The aim: health
promotion,communicating health messages in a dynamic way
Science café-Science of love
Held on valentines day- café - Speakers – psychiatrist- Poet- Speech language therapist- Cardiologist Held in conjunction with University and hospital. Attended by hospital, university and local area
people.
Science of love
Science of love
Science of love
Science of love
Science cafes
Health messaging is crucial in promoting health outcomes.
The self perceived health of populations improves as they have more knowledge on health as this will improve their health seeking behaviour.
There is no substitute for early diagnosis and treatment- this from an informed alert community
Conclusion
In addition to promoting healthy lifestyle, there is a need for focused attention on interventions directed towards improving the communication of health messages by professionals in settings that traditionally would not have had a health conversation.
Acknowledgements
British Council Wellcome Trust University of Pretoria Department of Health South Africa
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