Health Education and Promotion: Main Exam, 8 April 2021

Mount Kenya University · Department of Community Health · Diploma in Community Health · CPH1303 & DPH1318

Health Education and Promotion (CPH1303) Mount Kenya University 2020-2021 past paper with model answers.

Instructions: 1. This paper has two parts: Section 'A' AND Section 'B' 2. Section 'A' has ONE question which is COMPULSORY and carries 30 Marks. 3. Section 'B' has three questions of which you are required to attempt TWO. 4. The Two questions in Section 'B' Carries a Total of 40 Marks.

SECTION A (40 marks)

1. Define the following terms:

  1. a) Public health education
    Model answer
    • Public health education: A systematic process of providing individuals and communities with knowledge, skills, and attitudes to improve health and prevent disease, delivered through organized programs and policies aimed at population-level change.
  2. b) Health education
    Model answer
    • Health education: The planned learning experiences that enable individuals to acquire the information and skills needed to make informed decisions about their personal health and adopt healthy behaviours.
  3. c) Promotion
    Model answer
    • Promotion: The combination of strategies and activities that increase awareness, create demand, and facilitate the adoption of health‑enhancing behaviours, policies, or services within a target group or community.

2. Explain two aims of health education.

Model answer
  • a) Increase knowledge and awareness of health risks and protective behaviours.
  • b) Empower individuals and communities to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

3. Highlight four key principles of health promotion.

Model answer
  • a) Participation – people must be actively involved in planning and decision‑making.
  • b) Empowerment – building capacity to control determinants of health.
  • c) Holistic approach – addressing social, economic, environmental and behavioural factors.
  • d) Equity – reducing health disparities and ensuring fair access to resources.
  • More answers:
  • Intersectoral collaboration, sustainability, and evidence‑based practice.

4. Describe extended parallel process model

Model answer
  • The Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) explains how people respond to fear‑based messages.
  • Threat appraisal: assesses perceived severity and susceptibility of a health risk.
  • Efficacy appraisal: evaluates response efficacy (belief that the recommended action works) and self‑efficacy (confidence to perform it).
  • If threat is high and efficacy is high → danger control (protective action).
  • If threat is high and efficacy is low → fear control (denial, avoidance).
  • Low threat → no motivation to act.
  • The model guides message design to ensure sufficient efficacy cues to promote danger control.

5. State three terms used for communication and health education activities.

Model answer
  • Health promotion
  • Health education
  • Health communication

(6 Marks)

6. State six areas where health education and promotion take place.

Model answer
  • Schools and educational institutions – curricula, health clubs, and school health services.
  • Workplaces – employee wellness programs, occupational health units, and staff training.
  • Community centres and NGOs – outreach sessions, community meetings, and local campaigns.
  • Health care facilities – hospitals, clinics, and PHC centres offering patient education.
  • Media platforms – radio, TV, newspapers, social media and mobile messaging.
  • Public spaces – markets, transport hubs, sports arenas where posters, leaflets and demonstrations are displayed.

7. Outline six fundamental conditions and resources needed for good health.

Model answer
  • Safe water supply – access to clean drinking water.
  • Adequate nutrition – availability of sufficient, balanced food.
  • Sanitation and hygiene – proper waste disposal and personal hygiene facilities.
  • Housing and shelter – safe, ventilated, and weather‑proof living conditions.
  • Health services – accessible preventive and curative care.
  • Education and health knowledge – literacy and information for healthy choices.

SECTION B (40 marks)

8. Discuss in detail the Jakarta Declaration five priorities for health promotion.

Model answer
  • Build healthy public policy – enact laws on tobacco control, nutrition labeling, and safe environments.
  • Create supportive environments – design smoke‑free public areas, safe walking routes, and green spaces.
  • Strengthen community action – empower local groups to plan and implement health projects.
  • Develop personal skills – provide education, counseling and life‑skill training for behavior change.
  • Re‑orient health services – shift from curative to preventive focus, integrate health promotion into routine care.
  • More answers: – Ensure equity, address social determinants, and promote intersectoral collaboration.

9. Discuss components of communication.

Model answer
  • Sender – the source of the message (e.g., health educator).
  • Message – content, clarity, relevance and cultural appropriateness.
  • Channel – medium used (face‑to‑face, print, electronic media).
  • Receiver – target audience, their knowledge, attitudes and needs.
  • Feedback – response from the audience that indicates understanding.
  • Context – social, cultural, economic and environmental factors influencing interpretation.

10. Discuss the principles of health education.

Model answer
  • Participatory – involve the target group in planning and decision‑making.
  • Goal‑oriented – clear, measurable objectives linked to health outcomes.
  • Holistic – address knowledge, attitudes, skills and environmental factors.
  • Culturally appropriate – respect local beliefs, language and customs.
  • Sustainable – use resources and strategies that can be maintained over time.
  • Evaluative – include monitoring and assessment to measure impact and guide improvements.

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