The Principles And Components Of Primary Health Care

The Principles And Components Of Primary Health Care

Primary Health Care simply means “essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at cost that the community and the country can afford to maintain at every stage of development in the spirit of self -reliance and self- determination” (WHO, 1978). This approach came after the Alma Ata conference in 1978 whose golden aim was “health for all by year 2000”. Initially, the old approach was public health which was concerned with curative measurements that is healing only disease and not concern with preventative measures. Later, the approach of Primary Health Care was brought since the rate of health problem was increasing, the cost of medical care was very high and due to unequal and inadequate distribution of resources there was high mortality rate. Primary Health Care is concerned with preventative and curative measurements for all the community members at an affordable cost by using its components and principles. Thus, the communities are made health literate by being empowered so that appropriate decision is made regarding the health of people therefore the health of people is shaped and maintained.

Firstly, one of the principles of primary health care is increased emphasis on health promotion which means it “includes all efforts that seek to move people closer to optimal well-being or higher levels of well-being” (Allender, Rector& Warner,2010). Promoting health involves aiding the conditions for healthy choices and ensuring that support system is available to achieve good health by preventing and curing ...

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...alth of community people. Thus, nurses understanding regarding personal and environmental factors and community members participation helps to shape and maintain the health of one and all.

Reference
James, F.M., Robert, R.P.& Jerome, E.K.(2012). An Introduction to Community Health (7th ed). United States of America: Jones & Bartlett.
Janice, E.H., Phyllis, E.S.,&Sue, A.T.(2003).Community Health Nursing Caring in Action (3rded). United States of America: Thompson.
Judith, A.A., Cherie, R. &Kristine, D.W. (2010).community health nursing. Promoting and protecting health the public health (7th ed). Bakersfield California:Wolters Kluwer.
World Health Organization. (1978). The Alma Ata conference on primary health care. http://www.catie.ca/eng/nurses/ConferencePres2007.htm
Retrieved on April 8th, 2014.

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