Abstract
Quite a number of long term diseases and the state of health could be made better if primary prevention could be given more emphasis by nurses and health care professionals. The main aim of programs that promote health is to enhance standard and quality of life of people. In order for these programs to be successful, information on epidemiology is used to identify the cause or origin of the problem, investigate risk factors and most importantly, determine the rate at which such health conditions occur. To begin with, educating people in large numbers as well as immunization efforts are necessary. In this paper, several examples of current professional nursing practice that involve primary prevention are discussed. Also the positive impacts of undertaking primary prevention by the nursing fraternity and other healthcare professionals is elaborated in terms of cost effectiveness and life saving.
Introduction
Primary prevention can be defined as averting the start of a disease through conduct modification (e.g. reducing alcohol intake) or even treatment (e.g. inoculation). The main role of professional nursing within the community is prevention. Although there are three categories of prevention namely: – primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary prevention remains to be the most vital. It is provided to people who are still in good health before the actual disease symptoms are recognized.
Discussion
Examples of primary prevention are boosting resistance to illnesses, keeping health problems at bay or molding an environment that can sustain good rather than ill-health (Williams, 2008). Identification of disease patterns before the actual attack is also considered preventive. Williams asserts that the knowledge on disease occurrence, how it is transmitted and its incubation period is important in creating preventive rather than curative measures. Moreover, if risk factors are determined well in advance, an injury can be prevented. Therefore, nurses ought to envisage real needs and health challenges to avoid occurrence (Williams, 2008). Primary prevention, if well executed, can lead to drastic drop in healthcare costs. It is less expensive to prevent a health complication.
Educating the community on preventive measures to disease control is also considered primary prevention on its own. For example, well educated community will be able to understand and appreciate the need of undergoing immunization programs. However, there is still an overwhelming task in achieving health education for all and it may require concerted efforts from all stakeholders in the community.
The importance of primary prevention in program development is the fact that it is easier and less expensive to prevent an illness, disease, or dysfunction by promoting healthy choices and behavior in the first place. Education and immunizations are research based and outcomes are tracked. Primary prevention means treating a generally healthy population so program development would require finding suitable aggregates to treat. This includes understanding the dynamics of the community involved (Williams, 2008).
Adolescents who are mainly teenagers are among the worst affected age group when it comes to substance abuse. The risk factor here is the peer pressure influences (Williams, 2008). Those who indulge in early drinking suffer extra academic difficulties coupled with increased substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. Assessing the risk and gathering relevant data constitutes primary prevention because such information can be used to prevent similar future events.
An alcohol-free entertainment venue is also another form of primary prevention. Parents and stakeholders within the community should “enforce strict carding procedures for purchasing alcohol where ever it is sold” (Williams, 2008). Random search should be regular. Also, promotional ads that emphasize alcohol-free environment are viable primary preventive strategies. If families, the church, media, and the community in general can partner, then it will strengthen relationships by creating strong bonds.
Intervention before nonconsensual sex happen for instance by carrying out campaigns within the community to change certain sex-gender norms is another example of primary prevention (Aradhya, 2005). In the contrary, secondary prevention would aim at giving prevention subsequent acts of nonconsensual sex. Victims under secondary care may also receive rehabilitation services. Secondary prevention seeks to prevent subsequent acts of nonconsensual sex or to minimize its adverse consequences by providing rehabilitation services for perpetrators and care and support services for victims.
In addition to the above examples of primary prevention, Aradhya in his article Focus on Primary prevention notes that, World Health Organization (WHO) recommends giving priority to settings like refugee camps and schools with specialized prevention programs like those tackling socioeconomic reasons why violence towards sex prevails, eliminating or reducing the challenges women face, and enhancing gender fairness in the society. Also, programs which address culture related issues which may lead to behavior and attitude change are dealt with.
Another most potential example of primary prevention that can help alleviate or substantially reduce the risk of deadly infections is physical activity. Fetcher in his article How to Implement Physical Activity in Primary and Secondary Prevention suggests that physical activity ought to begin right from tender age throughout adulthood and ones lifetime (1997). Physical education in schools should be well structured with aerobic exercises designed for children at younger ages. Such programs should entail recreational activities for instance athletics, swimming, and dancing. Also, other energy involving exercises such as weight lifting can be very healthy. A lifestyle of dormancy should be avoided at all costs even while at home. Even patients who are in the recovery process should be given a prescription for exercise by the physicians and staff attending to them. Equally important is the worksite where physical activity programs can be implanted if right suggestions and recommendations are put in place (Fletcher, 1997). The success of physical exercise programs can only be achieved if its intensity, frequency, and period are well monitored. For example, even as adolescents progress out of running age and several physical activities in schools, proper dimensions for lifetime essential physical activities should be in place. Illnesses such as cardiovascular and hypertension could be prevented through exercise. The main challenge when it comes to physical activity, however, is the compliance rate of the communities (Fletcher 1997). A lot of interruptions emerge along the way for instance, business trips and holidays. The society is very mobile and therefore physical activities should be incorporated in such cases. Facilities to be used in such settings may not be readily available calling for the need to improvise. Some of the equipment that can be improvised includes a walk-jogger, exercise cycle, weights among others. A World Heath Organization (WHO) media centre report (2002) entitled integrating prevention into Heath Care asserts that numerous health conditions are preventable. The report further suggests primary preventive measures which include setting up sound financial systems that can support preventive rather than curative health care, giving patients the much needed information, motivation, and know -how in personal preventive measures and ensuring that prevention becomes a core health care initiative for all. As can be seen, many conditions can be prevented if primary prevention was given priority it deserves. The examples given on primary prevention in this paper are not exhaustive; there are several other steps that can be adopted to avert high medical costs and loss of life by patients.
Conclusion
Primary prevention in provision of quality healthcare has several gains for communities which include cost benefit, improved standard of life, and increased economic productivity. However, the main challenge still being faced is educating community members. This will in turn empower them substantially to deal with arising needs to primary prevention. If the communities are well supported and coached, they will become aware in advance to choose healthy lifestyles and behaviors. This paradigm shift will be cumbersome to achieve and hence it would require approach from a variety of disciplines courtesy of the community support. A good example of benefit arising from primary prevention can be seen among school going children whereby they are taught on the impacts of alcohol, guidance on peer pressure influence, and being resourceful to the community. Physical exercise is a very important tool in primary prevention. Most health problems can be avoided if rigorous but healthy physical exercise programs are adopted. Setting up a strong financial base is a real impetus in supporting primary prevention. Therefore, if prevention is given priority in health care, high medical costs could be reduced as well as saving lives. The main challenge remains to be lack of sensitivity by the community on the need to undergo primary prevention before the actual onset of the disease. Similarly, the modern nursing professionals have a demanding task of evaluating pre-disposing risk factors to health provision.
Reference List
Aradhya, W.K. (2005). Focus on primary prevention. Web.
Fletcher, G. F. (1997). How to Implement Physical Activity in Primary and Secondary Prevention- American Heart Association. Web.
Williams, H. (2008). Primary prevention in health promotion. Web.
World Health Organization, (2002). Integrating Prevention into Heath Care. Web.