Community Health Nursing

Community Health nursing

Definition

·  It is a synthesis of nursing and public health practice applied to promoting and preserving the health of the people.

·  Public health: It is the art and science of preventing illness, prolonging life and promoting through organized efforts of the society.

·  Community health: It refers to the health status of the members of the community, to the problems affecting their health and to the totality of the health care provided for the community.

Aims of Community Health Nursing

·  To promote health and efficiency.

·  Prevention and control diseases and disabilities.

·  Need based health care to prolong life.

Objectives of Community Health Nursing

·  Provide antenatal, intranatal and postnatal, care to ensure safe pregnancy and delivery.

·  Immunization

·  Provide under five children care

·  Health education

·  To improve the ability of the community to deal with their own health problems

·  To strengthen the community resources

·  To prevent and control communicable and non-communicable diseases

·  To provide specialized services

·  To conduct research

Principles of Community Health Nursing

·  It should be planned based on the needs of the community.

·  It is based on identified needs and functions.

·  Integration of Health education, guidance and supervision with community health nursing services.

·  Health services should be realistic in terms of available resources.

·  Community is the focus which is the unit of health care services.

·  Professional relationship with etiquette and dignity

·  Community participation is the integral part of the community health services.

·  Individual and family members participation in decision making.

·  Health services must be continuous.

·  Proper records and reports are essential.

·  Proper evaluation of health services

·  Health services must be available to all without any difference.