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Introduction
Helping young people learn about the ways of improving their health is one of the means to establish and maintain positive habits among the representatives of this population group. As a community health nurse, I have to do my best to arrange and implement an effective program that would enhance childrens health literacy and provide them with an opportunity to have better health outcomes.
Health Information Essential for Children from a Low Urban Area
Children belonging to this underserved group have special needs in health information based on their living conditions and low access to health services. Since prevention is the most effective method of disease development, the first thing these children should be taught is the methods of personal hygiene and ways of obtaining health information. Children aged 3-7 need to be taught the basics of sanitation and instructed about the adverse outcomes that might appear if hygienic norms are not followed. Children aged 9-12 are at the stage of puberty ( Middle childhood, 2016). Their needs in health information are concerned with being taught about the importance of being fit and physically active and consuming healthy food. Moreover, young people at this age should be taught about sexual health and the changes their bodies might undergo at this age. Children from low urban areas aged 14-18 require information about the detrimental impact of substance abuse and unprotected sex. Additionally, they should receive knowledge about healthy habits and positive eating patterns.
The Initial Step before Creating the Program
In order to create a health literacy program for a specific population group, it is necessary to monitor the situation in the area one works. The majority of problems associated with insufficient health knowledge of children is caused by their parents failure to provide them with the necessary information (Unger, 2013). Frequently, adults in low urban areas are illiterate and unable to teach their children how to lead a healthy lifestyle (Ryan et al., 2014). Therefore, the initial step in creating a health literacy program is getting acquainted with the population in the assigned area and evaluating the level of parents literacy and childrens access to health services and health education materials.
The Role of a Community Health Nurse in the Assessment Phase
A community health nurse plays a crucial role in the assessment stage of a health education program. This person has the data about the population group in question, and she is the one who can most effectively evaluate what health information children are lacking and what are the best ways of introducing it. A nurse is a person whom these children and their parents trust, and it is her duty to create a positive attitude among families with the aim of enrolling children in a literacy campaign.
The Function of a Community Health Nurse at the End of the Program
The role of a nurse at the final stage of the program is rather important. She has to assess the results and make conclusions about the success or failure of the methods used. She is also the one who should encourage children to participate in similar projects and explain to them the importance of health literacy at every stage of life.
Additional Resources Necessary for Program Implementation
Since children in low urban areas do not have sufficient access to modern technologies, the most suitable kind of resources available for them is printed materials (Ryan et al., 2014). Information presented in leaflets and brochures can be distributed at health centers, and children may share it at home.
Conclusion
Developing a health literacy program for children from a low urban area presents a number of difficulties for a community health nurse. However, the benefits of such a project are invaluable. If it is organized at the best level, such a campaign will prevent the development and spread of serious health issues.
References
Middle childhood (9-11 years of age). (2016). Web.
Ryan, L., Logsdon, S., McGill, S., Stikes, R., Senior, B., Helinger, B., & Davis, D. W. (2014). Evaluation of printed health education materials for use by low-education families. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 46(4), 218-228.
Unger, A. (2013). Childrens health in slum settings. Archives of Disease and Childhood, 98(10), 799-805.
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