Theories and Models of Health Education - Essay Example

Theories and Models of Health Education Theories and Models of Health Education Introduction Theories provide the basic framework for health education programs. They aid in the understanding of the actions and behaviors of our community members. Consequently, they facilitate plan and implement programs that target those community members. It is necessary to explore four theory models namely the health belief model, social learning theory, theory of reasoned action and diffusion of innovations theory.

Several scientific and social theories influence the behavior change of the elderly, the ethnic minorities, and clients with disabilities and functional illiteracies. These processes influence access and appropriate utilization of health resources. Health Belief Model This theory was developed in the early 1950s. It follows an understanding that a person’s decision to take any action that is related to health is informed by three things. First, the person must have a feeling that his or her negative condition of health is avoidable.

The person must also have an expectation that receiving the recommended heath action is tantamount to escaping a negative condition related to health. Finally, the person must have a belief that he or can take the health related action successfully. The main reason behind the health belief model is to motivate people to adapt positive actions related to their health. These actions should avoid the negative consequences related to health. This theory is applicable in community health education especially among elderly members of the population whose health conditions are always deteriorating.

For example, a behavioral program that appeals on illiterate elderly to follow instructions while taking medication contributes to change in attitude towards the health process. The theory will convince the elderly to appreciate their health condition, and develop positive expectations towards improvement of their health conditions (Buchanan, 2008). Social Learning Theory Albert Bandura’s theory affirms that people learn through imitation, observation, and modeling from each other. For example, persons with literacy challenges can learn through modeling whereby they adapt to specific conditions that enhance their meaning to grasp language.

They may sit together with experienced persons. For modeling to occur, some of the necessary conditions include retention, memory, motivation, and attention. Retention is the ability to memorize the things that you learned. Motivation is an aspect where a learner finds a good reason to imitate. It involves extending and promising imagined and real incentives. In reproduction, one cares more about the production of images. This can occur through observing self and bodily capabilities. Several factors can either decrease or increase the level of attention that a learner pays in the process of learning.

The leaner’s character also affects his or her attention capabilities. This theory offers the motivational value and the required learning procedures for successful outcomes when conducting a community health education for persons with functional illiteracies or disabilities (Akers & Jensen, 2007). Theory of Reasoned Action Ajzen and Fishbein developed this theory in 1980 to reveal the inputs and factors that explain why humans behave in some particular ways. The three pillars of the model of this theory are the attitude, intention, and behavior.

This theory suggests that the attitude of somebody towards a particular behavior depends on two things. These are the belief that the specific behavior will lead to a certain result and evaluation of the result of the specific behavior. For example, an individual is likely to take action when he acknowledges that his actions are likely to enhance vigor and appropriate health. If the person feels that the result of the behavior will be beneficial to him or her, then he will participate in that particular behavior.

The attitude of somebody also involves the ability to conceptualize the subject of the behavior. This requires the possession of a subjective norm. Apparently, the subjective norm is the perception that a person holds concerning the belief and expectation of others towards the person. In this context, the subjective norm amounts to peer pressure. The people around a person play critical roles in influencing the person’s behavior. The observation of behavior and attitude of learners is an instrumental aspect in the provision of community health education to any group of learners including the elderly, the disables, and the ethnic minorities.

This will help in offsetting biases (Frishman, 2008). Diffusion of Innovations Theory This is Everett Rogers’ theory of 1995. It seeks to describe the adoption patterns by offering their mechanism. This will assist in the prediction of the success or failure new inventions. There are various fields of application to this theory including scientific research, information technology, and artifacts. The communication of innovations involving technology takes place via specific channels within a specific period.

Apparently, technological innovations go through some specific stages. The stages include knowledge and persuasion. Additional procedures include decision, implementation as well as confirmation in their respective orders (Donaldson, 2007). For example, the use of a mammogram in healthcare is possible among women when they understand the need through the persuasion process. Furthermore, it is necessary to implement proper decisions that will allow them to draw maximum benefits. Decisions concerning innovations should be optional, collective or authority based.

This implies that one has an option to either adapt or reject an innovative idea. Moreover, such innovative ideas should involve the input of all members of a system to avoid future conflicts. Several circumstances might require the imposition of an innovative idea on clients. Incidentally, innovations should be compatible, observable, complex, and have relative advantage. The diffusion of innovative technologies can help those learners who are from the minority ethnic groups to catch up with the rest of the populations by following the stages described above.

References Akers, R., & Jensen, G. F. (2007). Social learning theory and the explanation of crime: a guide for the new century. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers. Buchanan, J. A. (2008). Comparing the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting Intent to Vaccinate Against the Human Papillomavirus in College Women. New York: ProQuest. Donaldson, L. (2007). Diffusion of Innovations in Health Service Organisations: A Systematic Literature Review. Malden, Mass: John Wiley & Sons.

Frishman, N. (2008). An Investigation of the Theory of Reasoned Action Concerning Consumer Acceptance of Food Irradiation. New York: ProQuest.