Practice and Evaluation of Health Intervention - Assignment Example

Practice and Evaluation of Health Intervention Health Interventions include, butis not limited to, fostering health lifestyles, creating an environment that encourages the healthiest choices to be the easiest choice, and providing health education. Health intervention falls under the category of Health Promotion, which is a very broad field and it is not clear what Health Promotion truly comprises and encompasses. Since there is much confusion over the definition of Health Promotion, many models have been developed to attempt to organize and define the field. Tannahill's Model suggests that Health Promotion includes health education, health prevention, and health protection. An example of health education is advice on the proper way to exercise. Health prevention might include cervical screening. Seat belt laws fall under the category of health protection. (Practice and Evaluation of Health Interventions, n.d.) The Theory of Planned Behaviour states that behavior can be deliberative and planned. (Theory of Planned Behavior/ Reasoned Action, 2004.) This theory suggests that attitude toward the behaviour, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control all influence, or affect, the intention which will affect the behaviour. Behavioural beliefs are regarding the beliefs of likely consequences of the behaviour. Normative beliefs are beliefs about the normative expectations of others. Control beliefs are about the presence of factors which may facilitate or hinder the performance of Last Name 2 behaviour. Usually, the more favorable the attitude and subjective norm and perceived control is great, the stronger the person's intention to do the behaviour will be. (Ajzen, 1988, 1991.) In the designing of health interventions, this theory can assist in creating a framework for understanding why people do what they do. It is extremely helpful to learn the skills, information, opportunities, resources, and support will aid in certain behaviours. As the Theory of Planned Behaviour is incorporated into health interventions, we have a better understanding of changing people's behaviour. Campaigns that focus on attitudes, perceived norm, and control will be most effective. Michie and Abraham (2004) confirmed this in their study and report, "the effectiveness of an intervention in altering a targeted behaviour may be missed when evaluations focus on health, rather than behavioural, outcomes." There are debates on whether or not it is ethical to try and get an individual to do what he or she does not want to do. Health interventions must consider the target population's goals and values. Designers of intervention programs should provide the public with informed consent-explanation of procedures, risks, expected benefits, answers to questions, any discomfort that may be experienced, and disclosure of alternative procedures. (Practice and Evaluation of Health Interventions, n.d.) The focus of this essay is health intervention of smoking and its role in increasing cancer risks. The target population is women. As with other health topics, the previously listed information applies to the area of women and smoking. Women's confidentiality should be protected, no harm should be intended, fairness, and all previously mentioned ethical issues should apply. In designing a program which will help women quit smoking, as research and statistics have proven that smoking is detrimental to the health of women, models and theories must be examined in order to determine Last Name 3 which is the best to follow in order to develop and implement guidelines for the intervention program. Regarding the population and area of concern of this writing, the goal of an intervention programme (using a model and theory of choice) is to get women to stop smoking as it increases their risk of cancer. Smoking also affects the health of the child. Smoking and reproductive life (2004) reports that there is "conclusive evidence that smoking causes pre-cancerous changes of the cervix (abnormal cervical smears) and invasive cervical cancerCervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, with more than half a million new cases diagnosed each yearIn 2002, the WHO IARC reviewed the large number of studies available and concluded that smoking is a cause of invasive (malignant) cervical cancer." The health changes expected include reducing the damaging effects and increased cancer risks of smoking and second-hand smoking. Some behaviours that must be learned include making lifestyle changes which will incorporate healthy habits and choices in replacing the habit of turning to smoking especially when one is stressed, bored, emotionally upset, etc. Environmental changes, such as not going to places that allow smoking, or reducing the intake of alcohol (if it causes one to desire a cigarette), are necessary in the intervention programme. Predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors such as the network of support, attitude, and beliefs of the person should be considered. The tasks that must be completed in order to be successful in the reduction or elimination of smoking may include finding someone who can help one be accountable, adding exercise and/or healthier habits in place of the addiction of smoking, and removing all things (ashtrays, cigarettes, even friends) that encourage smoking. Last Name 4 The Theory of Planned Behaviour shall apply to the topic of women and smoking as focusing behavioural outcomes (attitudes, perceived norm, and control) will be most effective in comparison to targeting health outcomes. Interventions can be either macro or micro. Macro interventions are aimed at a group and not an individual. Micro interventions are geared toward individuals. Even if in a group setting (such as a meeting with those who want to quit smoking), the individual is the focus. Health intervention for women and cancer shall incorporate both macro and micro in this designing of an intervention program. Intervention activities, such as personal training (to learn how to exercise), keeping a journal (to write out feelings and emotions in order to pinpoint the desire to smoke), and adding patches or gum in place of smoking, need to be included. The intervention activities that are selected should be based on the appropriate theory and fit the goals and objectives of the programme. Measuring the programme results is very crucial in order to see where improvement and changes need to be made, the results and findings, the effectiveness of theory and intervention activities, record keeping and documentation of the programme, groups, and individuals, etc. Methods of measurements include, but are not limited to feedback, interviews, questionnaires, reports and case studies, program attendance records, medical examinations and visits, documentation of evidence, etc. will be advantageous and necessary as it is the final step in model of designing an intervention program. In this case (women and smoking), a conceptual model was used. The conceptual model of intervention answered the following questions, which have just been addressed in this essay: What is the goal What health change is expected What behaviours must be learned or how must the environment be changed What predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling Last Name 5 factors must be considered What tasks must be completed What theories or models will be used Will the intervention be macro, micro, or both What intervention activities will be used How will the programme results be measured (Practice and Evaluation of Health Interventions, n.d.) In conclusion, health interventions include fostering health lifestyles, creating an environment that encourages the healthiest choices to be the easiest choice, and providing health education. Models, theories, guidelines, and procedures must be considered, incorporated, and implemented. There is a strategy in developing a health intervention programme that will be most successful in meeting the goals of assisting women in smoking cessation in order to gain the results and benefits of a healthier, smoke-free lifestyle. References Ajzen, I. (1988, 1991). Theory of Planned Behaviour. Retrieved May 31, 2006, from http://www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_ajzen_theory_planned_behaviour.html Michie, S. and Abraham, C. (2004). Interventions to Change Health Behaviours: Evidence-Based or Evidence-Inspired Psychology and Health, February 2004, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 29-49. Practice and Evaluation of Health Interventions (n.d.). Institute of Work, Health, and Organisations. Class lecture notes. Smoking and reproductive life: The impact of smoking on sexual, reproductive, and child health (2004). British Medical Association Board of Science and Education & Tobacco Control Resource Centre, p. 2. London, England: British Medical Association. Theory of Planned Behavior/ Reasoned Action (2004). Retrieved May 31, 2006, from http://www.tcw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Health%20Communication/ttheory_planned_behavior.doc/ Read More