Basics of General and Pharmaceutical Hygiene - Dykyi I.L. 2003

Hygiene of Pharmacy Establishments
Methods and Forms of Health Education Work in Pharmacy Institutions

One of the tasks of pharmacy establishments as part of the healthcare system is to conduct health education among the population. Along with medical and prophylactic institutions, pharmacies must work to improve public health literacy by promoting a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing the dangers of self-medication, explaining Structure/19.html">The Importance of measures to prevent infectious diseases, personal and public hygiene, and first aid in accidents, as well as introducing basic Methods of Water disinfection, food storage, and so forth.

At the same time, the health education carried out by pharmacies has a distinct Specificity. A special place in this work is occupied by issues related to the proper use and storage of medications and medical devices at home, assembling a home first-aid kit, using Sanitary and hygienic items and patient care products, and preventing the most common diseases.

The following methods are used in health education work:

— oral methods (lectures, talks, discussions, conference presentations, radio broadcasts, question-and-answer evenings, explanations by pharmacists during prescription intake and medication dispensing, etc.);

— printed Materials (leaflets, flyers, wall newspapers, health bulletins, articles in magazines and newspapers, etc.);

— visual AIDS (posters, photographs, models, mock-ups, etc.);

— combined methods: incorporating elements of printed and visual media (theatrical performances, films, exhibitions, television broadcasts, etc.).

Objective: to know the methods and forms of health education work conducted by pharmacies; to be able to organize and conduct health education among the population on a relevant topic tailored to a specific situation.

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-PREPARATION

1. Methods and forms of health education.

2. Nature and Specific features of health education work in pharmacies.

Task 1. Developing a plan for organizing and conducting health education on a relevant topic

To properly select the Methods and Means of health education that will address the task with maximum efficiency, one must take the specific situation into account. For example, for a small group of people, a group Discussion or debate is more effective; for a large audience, it is advisable to give a lecture; working with individuals requires a personalized approach.

After reviewing various methods and forms of health education work in pharmacies, develop a specific plan for organizing and conducting health education on one of the following relevant topics:

1. Rules for storing medications at home.

2. Harvesting, drying, and storing medicinal plant materials.

3. The dangers of self-medication.

4. Smoking and its consequences.

5. Alcoholism and its consequences.

6. Combating drug abuse and substance addiction.

7. Prevention of gastrointestinal infections.

8. Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

9. A healthy lifestyle.

10. Modern risk factors for diseases.

11. Characteristics of rational Nutrition for various population groups.

12. Rational nutrition for populations living in areas with elevated levels of radioactive contamination.

13. Noise and the prevention of its adverse health effects.

14. Prevention of foodborne toxic infections.

Example. Discussion outline: “Alcoholism and Its Consequences”

Introduction. Alcoholism is a disease caused by prolonged alcohol abuse. The public must be aware of the early signs of the condition as a warning against danger.

Signs of the early stage of alcoholism:

1) increased tolerance to alcohol with the loss of the gag reflex;

2) loss of control over The amount of alcohol consumed, accompanied by an irresistible urge to drink more;

3) prolonged excitation phase, tendency toward aggressive behavior and brawls, followed by deep Sleep;

4) striving to achieve a state of intoxication despite all deterrent factors;

5) changes in personality and behavior, including deceitfulness, callousness, egoism, alcohol-induced humor, and lack of self-control.

The early stage lasts about 5 years and progresses to the Second Stage.

Second stage of alcoholism:

1) development of hangover symptoms with a craving for relief drinking (tremors, sweating, nausea, headache, palpitations, anxiety, and fear the day after drinking). Initially, this state is relieved by a small dose of alcohol (a mug of beer, a shot of vodka), but increasingly larger doses become necessary over time. Hangovers induce a state of intoxication, leading to a binge drinking cycle;

2) binge drinking: once a person starts drinking, they cannot stop, continuing for days or even weeks. Over time, drinking binges become more prolonged and the intervals between them shorter.

The second stage lasts 9–15 years and progresses to the Third Stage.

Third stage of alcoholism:

Profound alterations in The Nervous system, Heart, Lungs, Stomach, and Liver, alongside personality changes and impaired sexual function; decreased alcohol tolerance (intoxication occurs from small doses) and a continuous craving for alcohol. The weakening of the body's defense mechanisms contributes to The Development of infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis). Sexually transmitted infections are closely linked to alcoholism (90% of Syphilis infections and 95% of Gonorrhea cases occur while intoxicated).

Alcohol has a negative impact on offspring and family life.

Consumption of alcohol by parents at the time of conception can lead to the birth of a child with various physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities.

Alcoholism leads to The breakdown of families and contributes to crime.

Conclusion. Alcoholism can only be overcome through medical Treatment followed by complete abstinence from alcohol. Treatment must not be delayed.