Health Education I: Main Exam, 1 August 2018

Mount Kenya University · Department of Community Health · Diploma in Community Oral Health · DPH1201

Health Education I past paper from Mount Kenya University 2017-2018 with model answers for students.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.

Section A (40 marks)

1. Define the following terms; (8 marks)

  1. a) Health according to WHO.
    Model answer
    • Health (WHO): A state of complete physical, mental and social well‑being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
  2. b) Perception.
    Model answer
    • Perception: The process by which individuals select, organize, and interpret sensory information to give meaning to their environment.
  3. c) Andragogy.
    Model answer
    • Andragogy: The art and science of adult learning, emphasizing self‑directed learning, experience, relevance, and problem‑centered approaches.
  4. d) Feedback.
    Model answer
    • Feedback: Information given to a person about their performance or behavior, intended to reinforce strengths and guide improvement.

2. When giving out feedback it is important to understand guidelines of receiving constructive feedback. Highlight the 6 guidelines. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Be specific: State exactly what was observed, avoiding vague comments.
  • Focus on behavior, not the person: Address actions rather than personal attributes.
  • Be timely: Provide feedback as soon as possible after the event.
  • Use a balanced approach: Include positive aspects as well as areas for improvement.
  • Encourage dialogue: Allow the receiver to ask questions and reflect.
  • Offer actionable suggestions: Give clear recommendations for how to improve.

3. Explain 3 barriers of effective communication in health education. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Language barriers: Use of jargon, technical terms or language not understood by the audience.
  • Cultural differences: Varied beliefs, values or norms that affect message interpretation.
  • Emotional/psychological barriers: Fear, anxiety or preconceived attitudes that hinder listening and comprehension.

4. Behaviour change is influenced by self-efficacy. Briefly explain;

  1. a) Self-efficacy. (2 marks)
    Model answer
    • Self‑efficacy: an individual’s belief in their own ability to successfully perform a specific behaviour or task.
    • Determines whether a person will attempt, persist and succeed in health‑related actions.
  2. b) 2 factors affecting self-efficacy. (4 marks)
    Model answer
    • Mastery experiences: successful performance of the behaviour builds confidence.
    • Vicarious learning: observing similar others succeed enhances belief in one’s own capability.
    • Social persuasion: verbal encouragement or feedback from credible sources raises self‑efficacy.
    • Physiological & emotional states: interpreting stress or fatigue as manageable rather than threatening boosts confidence.

5. Explain briefly 3 principles of adult - learning. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Readiness to learn: adults engage when they perceive a need to solve real‑life problems.
  • Experience as a resource: prior knowledge and life experiences are integrated into new learning.
  • Problem‑centered orientation: learning is organized around tasks or issues rather than abstract content.
  • More answers:
  • Self‑directed learning: adults take responsibility for planning and evaluating their learning.
  • Motivation by internal factors: personal growth, self‑esteem and autonomy drive learning.

6. Learning is an important tool in health education cognitive theory is one of the learning theory, briefly explain. (3 marks)

Model answer
  • Cognitive theory: learning occurs through internal mental processes such as perception, memory and thinking.
  • Emphasises how information is received, organized, stored and retrieved, influencing health behaviours.
  • Uses strategies like concept mapping, rehearsal and elaboration to promote understanding and retention.

7. One of the aims of health education is "To promote good health and to make it a valued asset" Briefly explain. (3 marks)

Model answer
  • Health education seeks to increase knowledge, attitudes and skills so individuals value health as a personal asset.
  • By fostering awareness of preventive practices, people are motivated to protect and invest in their own well‑being.

8. Sound nutritional practice is important in health education. Justify (2 marks)

Model answer
  • Good nutrition provides the energy and nutrients needed for optimal physical and mental function, supporting learning and disease resistance.
  • Demonstrating healthy eating habits models positive behaviour, reinforcing the health‑education message and encouraging community adoption.

Section B

1. Educational design (lesson plan) is an important tool in carrying out oral health talk in MKU-Thika. Discuss the following:

  1. i) Importance of educational designs. (5 marks)
    Model answer
    • Guides systematic delivery: ensures content is organized, sequenced and timed appropriately.
    • Aligns objectives and activities: links learning goals with teaching methods and assessments.
    • Facilitates resource planning: identifies needed materials, personnel and venue.
    • Enhances learner engagement: incorporates interactive strategies suited to oral health topics.
    • Allows evaluation and improvement: provides a framework to assess outcomes and refine future talks.
  2. ii) Stages of educational designs. (10 marks)
    Model answer
    • Needs assessment: identify target audience knowledge gaps, attitudes and oral health needs.
    • Setting objectives: formulate specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time‑bound (SMART) learning outcomes.
    • Designing content: select key oral health messages, evidence‑based information and culturally appropriate examples.
    • Choosing teaching methods: decide on lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, visual aids, and hands‑on practice.
    • Developing materials: prepare lesson plan sheet, handouts, slides, models and assessment tools.
    • Implementation: deliver the session according to the schedule, monitor participation and adapt as needed.
    • Evaluation: assess learner understanding through quizzes, feedback forms or observation.
    • Feedback and revision: analyse results, note strengths/weaknesses and modify the lesson plan for future use.
    • Documentation: record the entire process for accountability and accreditation.
    • Follow‑up: plan reinforcement activities or reminders to sustain behaviour change.

2. Perception in health education is the most used method when undertaking health education in Gachororo Health Centre in Juja.

  1. a) Define perception check. (1 marks)
    Model answer
    • Perception check is a quick verification technique used by the educator to confirm that the audience has correctly understood the information presented.
  2. b) Discuss 4 external factors of perceptual selection. (8 marks)
    Model answer
    • Cultural beliefs: traditional health concepts and norms influence how messages are interpreted.
    • Language barriers: unfamiliar terminology or dialects can distort the intended meaning.
    • Socio‑economic status: access to resources and education level affect attention and relevance.
    • Environmental distractions: noise, crowding or competing stimuli in the health centre setting divert focus.
    • More answers: prior experiences, media exposure, peer influence, personal health status.
  3. c) Discuss 6 steps of perception process. (6 marks)
    Model answer
    • Exposure: the individual comes into contact with the oral health message through sight, hearing or touch.
    • Attention: selective focus on the message while ignoring other stimuli.
    • Interpretation: assigning meaning based on prior knowledge, beliefs and context.
    • Retention: storing the interpreted information in short‑term or long‑term memory.
    • Recall: retrieving the stored information when needed.
    • Response: acting on the perceived information, e.g., adopting recommended oral hygiene practices.

3. Motivation is an important way in assessing the health education;

  1. a) Define motivation. (2 marks)
    Model answer
    • Motivation is the internal or external drive that initiates, directs and sustains an individual's willingness to engage in health‑promoting behaviours.
  2. b) Explain theories of motivation. (6 marks)
    Model answer
    • Maslow’s Hierarchy – a five‑level pyramid of human needs that motivate behaviour.
    • Physiological needs – basic survival requirements (food, water, sleep, shelter); the strongest motivators when unmet.
    • Safety needs – security, stability, freedom from fear; become salient once physiological needs are satisfied.
    • Love and belonging – social relationships, affection, group membership; drive interpersonal behaviour.
    • Esteem needs – respect, self‑confidence, achievement; motivate goal‑directed actions and competence.
    • Self‑actualisation – realising personal potential and creativity; highest level, pursued when lower needs are largely met.
  3. c) Discuss Abraham Maslow hierarchy of needs. (5 marks)
    Model answer
    • Hierarchy structure – five ordered levels forming a pyramid from basic to advanced needs.
    • Physiological – hunger, thirst, rest; primary drivers of survival.
    • Safety – personal security, health, financial stability; motivate protective behaviours.
    • Social (Love/Belonging) – friendships, family, community; drive participation in group activities.
    • Esteem – recognition, status, self‑respect; encourage achievement and competence.
    • Self‑actualisation – personal growth, fulfilment of potential; inspires lifelong learning and health‑promoting choices.
    • Application in health education – assess which level the target audience is at to tailor messages that meet their most pressing needs, thereby increasing motivation to adopt healthy behaviours.

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