Health Education I: Main Exam, 19 November 2024

Mount Kenya University · Department of Community Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics · Diploma in Community Oral Health · DPH1201

Health Education I (dph1201) Mount Kenya University 2024-2025 main exam with model answers

Instructions: ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION A AND TWO QUESTIONS IN SECTION B

SECTION A (40 marks)

1. Define the following terms:

  1. a) Health education (2 marks)
    Model answer
    • Health education: A planned learning process that equips individuals and communities with knowledge, attitudes and skills to adopt healthy behaviours and improve health outcomes.
  2. b) Public health education (2 marks)
    Model answer
    • Public health education: The organized dissemination of information and skills to populations aimed at preventing disease, promoting health and influencing social and environmental determinants of health.
  3. c) Health promotion (2 marks)
    Model answer
    • Health promotion: A comprehensive approach that enables people to increase control over, and improve, their health through policies, supportive environments, community action, personal skills development and health education.

2. Explain key principles of health promotion. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Empowerment: Enable individuals and communities to take control of health decisions.
  • Participation: Involve people actively in planning and implementing health actions.
  • Equity: Reduce health disparities and ensure fair access to resources.
  • Holistic approach: Address social, economic, environmental and behavioural determinants.
  • Sustainability: Create lasting health improvements through policies and community capacity.
  • Intersectoral collaboration: Coordinate actions across health, education, housing, etc.

3. Describe the health belief model (4 marks)

Model answer
  • Health Belief Model: Explains health behaviour as a function of:
  • Perceived susceptibility – belief about risk of acquiring a condition.
  • Perceived severity – belief about seriousness of the condition.
  • Perceived benefits – belief that a specific action will reduce risk.
  • Perceived barriers – belief about obstacles to taking action.
  • Cues to action – triggers that prompt the behaviour.
  • Self‑efficacy – confidence in ability to perform the action.

4. Explain any three aims of health education. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Increase knowledge and awareness: Provide accurate information so people understand health risks and protective behaviours.
  • Change attitudes and beliefs: Influence perceptions to create a favourable view of healthy practices.
  • Develop skills for action: Teach practical abilities (e.g., proper hand‑washing, nutrition planning) that enable individuals to adopt healthy behaviours.

5. Describe areas where health education and promotion takes place. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Schools and educational institutions – curriculum integration, health clubs, peer education.
  • Workplaces – occupational health programs, wellness workshops, employee assistance.
  • Community settings – churches, youth groups, local NGOs delivering outreach sessions.
  • Healthcare facilities – patient counseling, health fairs, discharge education.
  • Media platforms – radio, TV, social media campaigns targeting public awareness.
  • Policy and legislative arenas – advocacy for health‑promoting laws and regulations.

6. Explain fundamental conditions and resources needed for good health. (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Adequate nutrition – access to safe, sufficient, and balanced food.
  • Clean water and sanitation – reliable supply of potable water and proper waste disposal.
  • Safe housing and environment – shelter free from hazards, adequate ventilation.
  • Education – literacy and health knowledge enabling informed choices.
  • Accessible health services – preventive and curative care within reach.
  • Social support and equity – strong community networks and reduction of inequalities.

7. Explain any three forms of non-verbal communication (6 marks)

Model answer
  • Facial expressions – smiles, frowns, and eye contact convey emotions and attitudes.
  • Body posture – open vs. closed stance indicates interest or defensiveness.
  • Gestures – hand movements such as pointing or nodding reinforce or modify spoken messages.

SECTION B (30 marks)

8. Discuss any five significance of studying health education.

Model answer
  • Improves health literacy – equips individuals to understand and use health information.
  • Prevents disease – promotes behaviours that reduce risk of illness.
  • Empowers communities – encourages participation in health‑related decision making.
  • Reduces health inequalities – targets vulnerable groups with tailored interventions.
  • Supports policy development – provides evidence for health‑promoting legislation.

9. Discuss the components of communication.

Model answer
  • Sender – originator of the message who encodes information.
  • Message – content being transmitted, verbal or non‑verbal.
  • Channel – medium used (face‑to‑face, phone, media).
  • Receiver – individual or group who decodes the message.
  • Feedback – response that indicates how the message was interpreted.
  • Context/Environment – physical and social setting influencing communication.

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

Model answer
  • Healthy public policies – develop legislation and fiscal measures that create healthier choices (e.g., tobacco tax, nutrition labeling).
  • Supportive environments – shape physical and social surroundings to make healthy behaviours easier (e.g., safe walking paths, smoke‑free zones).
  • Strengthening community action – empower local groups to identify needs and implement solutions.
  • Developing personal skills – provide education and life‑skill training for informed health decisions.
  • Reorienting health services – shift focus from curative to preventive, integrating health promotion into routine care.

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