Family welfare through improved health care.
Florentino S. Solon · PubMed · 1986
Education is an integral part of any development effort, particularly in the developing countries. Many educational measures do not accomplish their objectives because many strategies used were neither appropriate nor adaptable to the actual needs of the target audience. Current education projects are more effective than traditional approaches for several reasons including: target audiences are reached through a combination of face-to-face communication and mass media information; development testing, evaluative research and message design based on audience response are inherent in the program; and nutrition education is used to support material inputs. The behavioral method of cummunication has gained recognition as a health education model. The Philippines has long been engaged in the practive of health education. Health education should work at integrating different health problems. A mobile and comprehensive system called the Nutri-bus was organized in 1978 to provide logistical, supervisory and communications support to the village nutrition worker. The Nutri-bus package of services includes: health and nutrition education through video showings and the distribution of print materials. In 1980, a series of educational materials was produced and distributed to over 30,000 schools nationwide for school teachers. The teacher's role in the health and nutrition effort was highlighted. The Teacher-Child-Parent (TCP) Approach was developed to improve the strategies used by school teachers. Developmental description pads containing illustrated food instructions recommending the amounts and kinds of food for the preschool child were designed. Mass media are used extensively. It is necessary to make health education specific so that activities can be evaluated.