COMMUNICATING THE SCIENCE OF HEALTH IN INFORMAL SETTINGS

Dr F. SenkubugeUniversity of Pretoria, School of Health Systems and Public Health, South Africa

Introduction

Health is defined by the WHO as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity.

Introduction

Public health has seen an increase in the use of self-rated health as a measure of health status of populations.

In epidemiological research self-rated health is frequently used as a measure of assessing health perceptions.

Introduction

A number of studies have shown self-rated health to be a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality.

The most frequently used single item measure is the non-comparative, which asks “would you rate your general health as poor, fair, good or excellent?”

Introduction

Molarius et al. found that in Sweden, poor self-rated health had the strongest association with:

- economic hardship.- lack of social support. - employment status.

Also that physical inactivity, underweight and obesity were independently related with poor self-rated health.

Introduction

In Social disparities in health and health service still exist in South Africa .

It is estimated that approximately 40% of South Africans are living in poverty - most commonly in female-headed households and among black Africans.

The Gini coefficient for South Africa, which reflects inequality, remains high and its estimated at 0,6.

Introduction

Sociological theories have suggested that inequality determines asses to messages

Exposure to health messaging in South Africa by health professionals is usually through the visit to a health facility.

Given the high levels of poor access to health care populations would therefore have health messaging from sources other than health professionals.

Study

Senkubuge , Ayo-Yusuf :Lifestyle and social conditions associated with self- rated health in South- Africa

2003/2004 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS).

Results

Of the respondents, 40.3% (n=3236) rated their health as good/excellent.

59.7

40.3

Poor/average

Good/excellent

Frequency distribution of sample socio-demographic characteristics

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Percentage

poor

good

/exc

elle

nt

mal

e

fem

ale

blac

k

colo

ured

indi

an

whi

te

othe

r(un

defin

ed)

low

est

mid

dle

high

est

no yes

no c

over

age

cove

red

Selfratedhealth

Sex Race SES Paidwork in

pastyear

Medicalaid

coverage

Characteristics

Socio-demographics and lifestyle frequency distribution by low SES and good self-rated health (n = 8,060).

Characteristics %Low SES (n) p-value %Good SRH (n) p-valueGender 0.23 <0.01

Male 26.1%(889) 45.3%(1490)Female 24.7%(1192) 36.5%(1746)

Race <0.01Black 29.6%(1896) 36.8%(2159)Coloured 9.3%(178) 45.9%(467)Asian/Indian 0.8%(5) 55.6%(384)White 0 71.7%(211)Other† 9.9%(1) 55.2%(10)

SES <0.01Lowest - - 32.5%(654)Middle - - 36.3%(1231)Highest - - 51.6%(1305)

Tobacco use <0.01 <0.01No use 24.3%(1386) 41.8%(2423)Snuff 33.9%(175) 21.8%(105)Smoking 26.6%(496) 40.6%(693)Snuff and Smoking 34.6%(16) 6.1%(5)

Alcohol use <0.01 <0.01No Use 26.4%(1458) 38.5%(2201)Not problem 17.6%(273) 53.0%(648)Problem Drinker 29.4%(350) 33.5%(387)

The process

Setting

Setting

Science cafes -Model

Communicate health messages in all settings .

- Restaurants- Pubs- Hospital cafeterias- Campuses- Schools

Speakers

Include: expert health professionals in their area of speciality

Emphasis on simple lay language Use of everyday events and concerns to

illustrate health. The aim: health

promotion,communicating health messages in a dynamic way

Science café-Science of love

Held on valentines day- café - Speakers – psychiatrist- Poet- Speech language therapist- Cardiologist Held in conjunction with University and hospital. Attended by hospital, university and local area

people.

Science of love

Science of love

Science of love

Science of love

Science cafes

Health messaging is crucial in promoting health outcomes.

The self perceived health of populations improves as they have more knowledge on health as this will improve their health seeking behaviour.

There is no substitute for early diagnosis and treatment- this from an informed alert community

Conclusion

In addition to promoting healthy lifestyle, there is a need for focused attention on interventions directed towards improving the communication of health messages by professionals in settings that traditionally would not have had a health conversation.

Acknowledgements

British Council Wellcome Trust University of Pretoria Department of Health South Africa

THANK YOU