Meeting the Health Needs of Child and Adolescent Populations Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights

Meeting the Health Needsof Child and AdolescentPopulations

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458

All rights reserved.Community Health Nursing, 5/eMary Jo Clark

16CHAPTER

Community Health Nursing, 5/eMary Jo Clark

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Biophysical Considerations

• Age and maturation– Development – Menarche

• Genetic inheritance– Health problems specific to children



Child and Adolescent Populations (continued)

• Physiologic function– Incidence/prevalence of specific physical

health problems– Accidents– Congenital malformations– Neoplasms– Assault/homicide– Heart disease



Psychological Considerations

• Family dynamics

• Parental expectations

• Discipline

• Parental coping/mental health

• Mental health problems among children and adolescents

• Abuse



Physical Environmental Considerations

• Lead exposure

• Insecticide exposure

• Air pollution

• Safety hazards

• Accidents/Drowning



Sociocultural Considerations

• Factors affecting access to health care– Family income and employment– Family educational level– Parental work schedules– Legislation– Media impact on role models



Behavioral Considerations

• Nutrition

• Rest and exercise

• Violence



Health System Considerations

• Attitudes toward health and health care

• Usual sources of health care– Routine use of emergency departments

• Use of health care services– Uninsured families



Primary Prevention Measures

• Ensure access to health care

• Promote growth and development

• Provide adequate nutrition



Primary Prevention Measures (continued)

• Promote safety

• Prevent communicable diseases

• Dental care

• Support for effective parenting



Ensuring Access to Health Care

• Effective way to promote health

• Ensure regular source of primary health care



Ensuring Access to Health Care (continued)

• Assess adequacy of primary care services

• Support education of primary providers

• Develop information systems to monitor health activities



Promotion of Growth and Development: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Educate the public and families regarding developmental milestones that children and adolescents need to accomplish

• Alert parents to the challenges posed by these milestones



Promotion of Growth and Development: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Advocate for community programs and environmental conditions that promote growth and development



Providing Adequate Nutrition

• Educate the public regarding dietary needs and requirements for children and adolescents

• Promote policies that diminish access to “junk food” for children and adolescents

• Advocate for nutritional supplemental programs and for adequate nutrition programs in schools and other institutional settings



Promoting Safety: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Promote the use of safety devices and equipment

• Educate families and children about the need for effective restraints

• Campaign for strict enforcement of restraint legislation for all vehicle occupants



Promoting Safety: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Educate the public about general safety behaviors and the use and storage of poisonous materials

• Advocate for effective labeling of hazardous substances



Preventing Communicable Diseases: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Immunization programs and campaigns

• Educate the general public regarding practices to prevent specific communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS

• Educate about hygiene practices

• Educate about the prevention of contamination of food and water supplies



Dental Care: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Educate parents about dental care in very young children

• Advocate for the need for preventive dental care

• Become involved in promoting fluoridation of community drinking water



Dental Care: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Provide referrals for financial assistance to families in need



Effective Parenting Support: Role of Community Health Nurse

• Establish formal networks with families in need

• Educate of families regarding the needs of children and adolescents



Effective Parenting Support: Role of Community Health Nurse (continued)

• Interact with parents who express the common frustrations of parenthood

• Provide referrals for respite services and childcare services for families in need

• Provide parents both positive and negative feedback on their performance as parents



Secondary Prevention Measures: Screen for Health Problems

• Provide routine and specialized screening services

• Advocate for access to these services for child and adolescent populations



Secondary Prevention Measures: Care of Minor Illnesses

• Educate the public about appropriate home treatment for minor illnesses and when professional care is required

• Educate parents about minor health problems in children and adolescents



Secondary Prevention Measures: Care of Minor Illnesses

• Educate on signs of illness in children

• Assess the health status of specific children– Make recommendations for appropriate

interventions – Make referrals for medical assistance



Secondary Prevention Measures: Care of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Conditions

• Assist with medication management

• Advocate for environmental modification

• Provide emotional support and recognize the needs of those caring for children and adolescents with chronic conditions



Secondary Prevention Measures: Care of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Conditions

• Provide referrals for services and counseling

• Provide education about the particular health condition

• Promote healthy diets and physical activity



Secondary Prevention Measures: Children and Adolescents with Terminal Illnesses

• Direct involvement in the provision of palliative care, the referral of clients for palliative care services, their work to assure the availability of palliative care services in the community and their accessibility to all those in need of them

• Assist with communication, emotional, and grief issues surrounding the dying child and their families



• Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Palliative care:



Tertiary Prevention Measures

• Prevent recurrence of problems– Prevent lead poisoning



Tertiary Prevention Measures

• Prevent further consequences– Diabetes education

• Promote adjustment for those with chronic illness or disability– Prevent further loss of function



Resources

• CDC Adolescent Youth Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official web page focusing on adolescence, links to many other web data bases and programs.

• Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System offers the latest national government data and statistics concerning risk behaviors in Youth.



Resources

• The School Health Profiles helps state and district education and health agencies monitor the current status of school health education; school health policies related to HIV infection/AIDS, tobacco use prevention, unintentional injuries and violence, physical activity, and food service; physical education; asthma management activities; and family and community involvement in school health programs. State and local education and health agencies conduct the survey biennially at the middle/junior high school and senior high school levels in their states or districts, respectively.



Resources

• Youth Suicide Prevention Programs: A Resource Guide from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

• Advocates for Youth Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. Advocates provides information, training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organizations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.

Documents

Meeting the Health Needs of Child and Adolescent Populations Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 All rights