The role of baccalaureate nursing students in the matrix of health promotion.
The Declaration of Alma Ata in 1978 put primary health care into the forefront of government health agendas around the world. The Ottawa Charter followed in 1986, emphasizing the role of health promotion for enhancing the wellness of populations and the potential cost savings related to illness care. The findings from research and evaluation in health promotion indicate that multiple approaches, such as mass media campaigns, school-based education, community education, community development, environmental initiatives, and implementation of legislation, are most likely to bring about sustained change (Garrard, 1990). Health education is a component of health promotion and is directed toward enhancing the skills of individuals, families, and communities to change behavior. Behavior change, however, will not be achieved by isolated health education campaigns but by a combination of strategies, methods, and activities at a local, state, and federal level. The type of campaigns that are implemented by nursing students is one intervention that forms part of the matrix of health promotion. This article describes the experience of a School of Nursing in the application of health education by students in a variety of settings in the community. These campaigns help the students to connect theory to nursing practice in a creative way that provides immediate and long-term benefits and may enhance the health of the community.
Maltby
H J
HJ
School of Nursing, Edith Cowan University, Churchlands, Australia. r.maltby@cowan.edu.au
Robinson
S
S
D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D016294:Models, Nursing; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013338:Students, Nursing; D014904:Western Australia