19. Usually the health educator is a technical person
who possesses technical information. It is not easy for the lay people to
understand the technical aspects and the scientific facts on health matters
easily. The health educator has, therefore, to use terms which can be
immediately understood. He should avoid highly scientific jargon. For example,
he should not say arthropod vector, he should say disease carrying insect.
Terms like protozoa, parasite, virus, etc., should be avoided when talking to
illiterate people. The word germ which can not normally seen by naked eye may
convey something. Even that word will have to be properly applied and demonstrated.
20. Health education has for its ultimate
goal to bring about the desired health related behaviour and practices. There
may be many habits, customs etc., based on traditions, beliefs, attitude, etc.,
in the community. Any attempt of drastic or quick change of behaviour will not
only be difficult but may generally cause unnecessary mental conflict and
resentment particularly because the expected behaviour may be much contrary to
existing cultural pattern. Health education should, therefore, start
from the existing culture and gradually try at change of habit and practices.
Moreover, the health education effort should aim at small changes in a graded
fashion and not be too ambitious. People will learn step by step and not
everything together. For every change of behaviour a personal trial is required
and therefore the health educator should provide opportunities for trying out
changed practices.
21. The use of
suitable and objective audio visual aids is of great importance in any health education effort because the
people will not evince sufficient interest towards lecture, talks and
discussions. The aids provide not only a comfortable diversion but help in
focusing attention on the essentials and giving the eye and ear a greater role
in perception.
22. The basis of
any education is communication. For people to understand and appreciate ideas,
messages, methods, procedure, etc., with proper reasoning him communication
should be simple, clear, brief and crisp. There are many principles of
effective communication which require be carefully remembering and practicing
by the health educator.
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