Disease Prevention
Disease prevention is defined as targeted, population-based, or/and individual-based interventions which aim at reducing disease burden and risk factors associated with the disease. The interventions can be primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary interventions are those actions whose goal is to prevent the manifestation of diseases. Example of such interventions includes vaccinations and immunizations. Secondary interventions include actions to deal with an early diagnosis to improve disease outcomes, for example, evidence-based screening programs and preventive drug therapies. Tertiary interventions include actions that aim at improving the quality of health by limiting complications and ensuring restoration of normal functioning among the patients. They are normally provided after disease onset. Interventions at this level include providing treatments and rehabilitation services (World Health Organization, 2021).
Disease Prevention Model at the Three Levels of Practice: Nightingale’s Theory of Environment
Nightingale’s theory of environment model suggests that changing the environment of patients can assist in the recovery process. According to the model, poor environmental conditions are related to increased prevalence of diseases and poor health, while a good environment is associated with improved health. This model can be utilized at various levels, including personal, community, and systems. The model emphasizes five environmental factors, including pure water and freshwater, light, effective drainage, and cleanliness. Failure to adequately provide the factors leads to illnesses or lack of health, while if provided adequately, the body can be able to heal (Gilbert, 2020).
Benefits of Using the Model
Due to its simplicity, Nightingale’s Theory of Environment is easily applicable in public health nursing today. It can be used in various settings such as the hospital’s intensive care unit, workplace, home, and community because of its clarity and simplicity. The model promotes patient-centered care instead of a one-size-fits-all approach; care providers have to assess the patient/community environment to make the necessary adjustment in their environment rather than just implementing pre-defined interventions. The model encourages the patients and communities to be actively involved in maintaining a supportive environment for their well-being (Gilbert, 2020).
Concerns about using the Model
The model holds that diseases are primarily caused by unclean/dirty or poorly ventilated environment, which has been shown not to be true, as diseases caused be caused by other conditions other than the dirty environment, as shown by Pasteur and his bacteriology work. The theory overemphasizes environmental measures, which, although beneficial in the prevention, effectiveness is limited since environmental factors cause not all diseases (Gilbert, 2020).
Description of Health Promotion.
Through health literacy and multisectoral action, health promotion empowers communities and individuals in society to gain control of their health and its determinants by encouraging the adoption of healthy practices. People can gain more control over their health and future by participating in health promotion. It includes social and environmental interventions that are meant to improve and protect health and quality of life by educating the communities on how to avoid the root causes of sickness rather than just providing treatment and curing diseases. This method entails efforts for both the general public and those at increased risk of poor health outcomes. Health promotion provides education on several risk factors, including obesity, use of tobacco, healthy diet, mental health, physical inactivity, drugs and alcohol abuse, prevention of injuries, and sexual health. The primary goal of health promotion is to create awareness about the risk factors for diseases and how the communities can protect themselves from such risks. It includes measures for both primary and secondary illness prevention (World Health Organization, 2021).
Existing Health Promotion model: Pender’s Health Promotion Model
Nola J. Pender developed the model in 1982. The model defines health as not just a state of disease absence but a positive dynamic state. The model focuses on the multi-dimension nature of individuals as they relate with the environment to pursue health. The model addresses three main areas: individual qualities and experiences, affect and cognitions that are behavior specific, and behavioral outcomes. According to Pender’s health promoti
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