Public Health Issue - Essay Example

Public Health Issue Trans-theoretical model of change has been the basis for the development of effective interventions that promote health change behaviour (Pomerleau & McKee 104). The model combines key constructs from other theories. The model explains how people modify or even acquire a new behaviour, which can be positive. Transtheoretical model is a model of intentional change. It involves emotions, cognitions and even behaviours. Within the context of the Trans theoretical model, childhood immunisation process can be described as external influences that impact through an individual. Change construct is the key organising construct of this model. Child immunisation can be described as change because it is a phenomenon that occurs overtime. Change as per the model, progresses through five stages. In the Pre-contemplation stage, people are not intending to take action. Usually, in the immunisation process, most people are not informed; they even may be under informed of the consequences of ignoring immunisation (Pomerleau & McKee 104). Other theories describe them as resistant, or even unmotivated. They are not ready for health promotion programs. Contemplation stage is the second stage. Individuals at this stage are more willing to take immunisation. The people are aware of the pros of changing, and also the cons. As much as they may view immunisation as being beneficial to health, they may also consider it as being very expensive. People usually stay in this stage for long. Preparation is the stage that people intend to take action. Action in the context of immunisation, will involve taking the step to be immunised. The maintenance stage involves people working to prevent relapse. People in the maintenance stage do not apply frequent change as those in the action stage. Change provides important guide for intervention. In the case of immunisation, two theories can be used in context with the Trans theoretical model of change. In moving from one stage to another, ten processes are used. In the ten processes, the first five make the experiential process theory. They can be used for early stage transition in the immunisation context, and the last five are the behavioural processes. In the experiential process, the first step is to increase awareness; this can include recalling information, given by people on immunisation. In this stage, increased awareness about the causes and consequences of lack of immunisation is given. Interventions that can increase awareness include feedback, media campaigns and educating masses. One can get emotionally aroused, to the warnings on consequences of lack of immunisation. Dramatic relief initially produces, increased emotional experience, then it is followed by reduced effect if action is taken. Psychodrama, role-playing and media campaigns can be used for dramatic relief. The third stage, may be an environmental re-evaluation, this may be a consideration that, lack of immunisation can have a negative effect on person. Social liberation is the fourth stage. Society seems to change in ways that only supports those who have undergone immunisation. In the fifth stage, one may re-evaluate themselves, and argue that if immunisation is not carried out, then individuals become disappointed. Trans theoretical model of change, has a lot of advantages, it has general implications for several areas of intervention development and also implementation. The TTM can be an appropriate model, for the recruitment of a target population. The reason for this, it makes an assumption about the readiness for change of various individuals. The TTM is also advantageous in that it provides measures of progress. It makes use of a set of outcome measures, this reinforce step individual take toward behavioural change.TTM has a stage like structure; therefore it facilitates process analysis of transitional patterns. Theoretical model, has some limitations, this behaviour model is not suited for education programs, occurring in one session. The model also suggests that there be follow up program. The follow up program, is to determine if the behaviour has been maintained. The process involved with the model, can be time consuming and also very expensive. The health belief model (HBM), rose from the desire to understand, the reason people resented preventive services offered by the public health. Lately it has evolved to address new concerns in the prevention and also the detection programs. According to theory, people beliefs, about whether or not they are at risk for disease or even health problem, and perceptions of the benefits of taking action to avoid it, influence an individual readiness to take action. The objectives of this study are to assess the participants, perceptions and also their attitudes about the severity of lack of immunisation on individuals. The evaluation was a cross sectional study, conducted among individuals of age twenty-five. This is because, immunisation process is carried on small children aided by their parents; most parents are likely to be over twenty-five years of age. The health belief model was the theoretical model used for study. The HBM examines a patient motivation, to adopt health related behaviour, and assess health behaviour interventions. The HBM includes six domains, influencing health behaviours; perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barriers, cues to action and self-efficacy. In perceived susceptibility, a patient’s belief about their risk, for getting a condition is addressed. Perceived severity, will basically deal with the seriousness of a certain condition. Perceived benefit will be the outcome of certain behaviours. After the immunisation, some serious diseases get controlled, susceptibility is reduced, or the severity of a certain illness. For example, through immunisation, the susceptibility of smallpox is controlled. Perceived barriers may represent a patient’s concerns, or negative beliefs about health behaviour. Cues to actions, are actions or strategies, promoting adoption of behaviour. Self-efficacy will involve patient’s confidence to adopt behaviour or take action. In the evaluation, a survey instrument is efficient to assess the study objectives. A questionnaire, with questions based on the HBM is suitable. Questions on parent’s intention to vaccinate children should be applicable. Demographic questions should also be in the questionnaire. In data analysis, the HBM based statements are grouped according to domains. In measuring the HBM, the construct definitions should always be aligned with the original theory. Measures should at all times, be specific to behaviour and relevant to the target population. There must be Content validity. Through content validity, factors related to behaviour are addressed. HBM has limitations; the limitations between constructs are not well understood. The model does not have emotional construct as compared to Trans -theoretical model. In HBM, it is hard to understand impact of cues to actions. Work cited Pomerleau, Joceline and McKee, Martin . Issues in Public Health. McGraw-Hill International, 2005. Print Retrieved on 10th Nov, 2012 from Read More