CHN 2:

Public Health
Nursing
PROF. EARL JUDE A ARIAS MAN RN
Community Health Nursing: An Overview

▪ Community
 a group of people with common characteristics or interests living
together within a territory or geographical boundary
 place where people under usual conditions are found
 Derived from a latin word “comunicas” which means a group of
people.
WHO Definition of HEALTH

▪ Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
▪ The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the
fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race,
religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
▪ The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and
security and is dependent on the fullest co-operation of individuals and
States.
▪ The achievement of any State in the promotion and protection of health is of
value to all.
▪ Unequal development in different countries in the promotion of health and
control of diseases, especially communicable disease, is a common danger.
Health

▪ Healthy development of the child is of basic importance; the ability to

live harmoniously in a changing total environment is essential to such
development.
▪ The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and
related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.

▪ Informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of
the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people.

▪ Governments have a responsibility for the health of their peoples which

can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social
measures.
Health

 OLOF (Optimum Level of  Evolutionary-based

Functioning)
 Health promotion
 Health-illness continuum
 WHO definition
 High-level wellness

 Agent-host-environment

 Health belief
Community Health

Part of paramedical and medical intervention/approach

which is concerned on the health of the whole population.
▪ Aims:
1.Health promotion
2.Disease prevention
3.Management of factors affecting health
Nursing

Both a profession & a vocation. Assisting

sick individuals to become healthy and
healthy individuals achieve optimum
wellness
 Community Health Nursing
 “The utilization of the nursing process in the different levels of clientele-individuals, families, population groups
and communities, concerned with the promotion of health, prevention of disease and disability and rehabilitation.”
( Maglaya, et al)
 Goal: “To raise the level of citizenry by helping communities and families to cope with the discontinuities in and
threats to health in such a way as to maximize their potential for high-level wellness” ( Nisce, et al)
 Special field of nursing that combines the skills of nursing, public health and some phases of social assistance and
functions as part of the total public health program for the promotion of health, the improvement of the conditions
in the social and physical environment, rehabilitation of illness and disability ( WHO Expert Committee of
Nursing)
 A learned practice discipline with the ultimate goal of contributing as individuals and in collaboration with others
to the promotion of the client’s optimum level of functioning thru’ teaching and delivery of care (Jacobson)
 A service rendered by a professional nurse to IFCs, population groups in health centers, clinics, schools ,
workplace for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, care of the sick at home and rehabilitation (DR. Ruth
B. Freeman)
Public Health

▪ is the science of protecting and improving the

health of people and their communities. This work
is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles,
researching disease and injury prevention, and
detecting, preventing and responding to infectious
diseases.
 Public Health

“Public Health is directed towards assisting every citizen to realize his birth rights
and longevity.” “The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and
efficiency through organized community effort for:
1. The sanitation of the environment
2. The control of communicable infections
3. The education of the individual in personal hygiene
4. The organization of medical and nursing services for the early diagnosis and
preventive treatment of disease
5. The development of a social machinery to ensure every one a standard of living,
adequate for maintenance of health to enable every citizen to realize his birth
right of health and longevity (Dr. C.E Winslow)
Mission of CHN

 Health Promotion
 Health Protection
 Health Balance
 Disease prevention
 Social Justice
Philosophy of CHN

“The philosophy of CHN is based on the

worth and dignity of man.”(Dr. M.
Shetland)
Basic Principles of CHN

1. The community is the patient in CHN, the family is the unit of care and there are
four levels of clientele: individual, family, population group (those who share
common characteristics, developmental stages and common exposure to health
problems – e.g. children, elderly), and the community.

2. In CHN, the client is considered as an ACTIVE partner NOT PASSIVE recipient

of care

3. CHN practice is affected by developments in health technology, in particular,

changes in society, in general

4. The goal of CHN is achieved through multi-sectoral efforts

5. CHN is a part of health care system and the larger human services system.
Roles of the PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

 Clinician, who is a health care provider, taking care of the sick

people at home or in the Health Centers
 Health Educator, who aims towards health promotion and illness
prevention through dissemination of correct information; educating
people
 Facilitator, who establishes multi-sectoral linkages by referral
system
 Supervisor, who monitors and supervises the performance of
midwives
 Health Advocate, who speaks on behalf of the client
 Advocate, who act on behalf of the client
 Collaborator, who working with other health team member
 Roles of the PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

*In the event that the Medical Officer (MO) is unable to perform his/her duties/functions or is not available, the
Public Health Nurse will take charge of the MO’s responsibilities.

▪ Other Specific Responsibilities of a Nurse, spelled by the implementing rules and Regulations of RA 7164
(Philippine Nursing Act of 1991) includes:

 Supervision and care of women during pregnancy, labor and puerperium

 Performance of internal examination and delivery of babies
 Suturing lacerations in the absence of a physician
 Provision of first aid measures and emergency care
 Recommending herbal and symptomatic meds…etc.
Roles of the PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

▪ In the care of families:

▪ Provision of Primary Health Care
▪ Developmental/Utilization of family nursing care plan in the provision
of care

▪ In the care of communities:

▪ Community organizing mobilization, community development and
people empowerment
▪ Case finding and epidemiological investigation
▪ Program planning, implementation and evaluation
▪ Influencing executive and legislative individuals or bodies concerning
health and development
Responsibilities of CHN

▪ be a part in developing an overall health plan, its implementation

and evaluation for communities
▪ provide quality nursing services to the three levels of clientele
▪ maintain coordination/linkages with other health team members,
NGO/government agencies in the provision of public health
services
▪ conduct researches relevant to CHN services to improve provision
of health care
▪ provide opportunities for professional growth and continuing
education for staff development
Standards in CHN

1. Theory
▪ Applies theoretical concepts as basis for decisions in practice

2. Data Collection
▪ Gathers comprehensive, accurate data systematically

3. Diagnosis
▪ Analyzes collected data to determine the needs/ health problems of IFC

4. Planning
▪ At each level of prevention, develops plans that specify nursing actions unique
to needs of clients
5. Intervention
▪ Guided by the plan, intervenes to promote, maintain or restore health, prevent
illness and institute rehabilitation
 Standards in CHN

6. Evaluation
▪ Evaluates responses of clients to interventions to note progress toward goal achievement, revise
data base, diagnoses and plan
7. Quality Assurance and Professional Development
▪ Participates in peer review and other means of evaluation to assure quality of nursing practice
▪ Assumes professional development
▪ Contributes to development of others

8. Interdisciplinary Collaboration
▪ Collaborates with other members of the health team, professionals and community
representatives in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs for community
health
9. Research
▪ Indulges in research to contribute to theory and practice in community health nursing
END OF PART 1