Health Education

This book is based on a qualitative study that investigated the influence of health education on primary school pupil s health care seeking behavior in Kangundo DEB Primary School, Machakos District, Kenya. Health education empowers individuals to take responsibility for their health and that of others. Health education is increasingly seen as a cost-effective way of enhancing health care. The theoretical premise was that human actions are purposive and are a result of careful consideration. Health education facilitates this. The study concluded that health education enhanced awareness and capacity for appropriate health care seeking behavior among pupils. Thus those factors that enhanced health education teaching and learning needed to be reinforced. It also found that knowledge by itself need not lead to action as environment factors largely determined the extent to which health education generated knowledge and skills are translated into appropriate health behaviour. The study recommended downplaying of the examination orientation and emphasis of the lasting value of health education in schools. Lastly, an enabling environment should be created both in school and outside world.

Autorentext

Daniel M. Muia is a Senior Lecturer and Chairman, Department of Sociology at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a PhD in Sociology, and is an expert and author in community development processes including health education, and local governance. His research interests are in community empowerment processes.