Family Health Nursing – This book covers the entire syllabus of “Community Health Nursing” prescribed by the Universities of Bangladesh- for Basic and diploma nursing students. We tried to accommodate latest information and topics.
This book is examination friendly setup according to the teachers’ lectures and examination’s questions. At the end of the book previous university questions are given. We hope in touch with the book students’ knowledge will be upgraded and flourished. The unique way of presentation may make your reading of the book a pleasurable experience.
Family Health Nursing
Family health is concerned with how well the family functions together as a unit. It involves not only the health of each member & how they relate to other members, but also how well they relate to cope with the community outside the family.
Five principles guide & enhance family nursing practice: Work with the family collectively, start where the family is adapt nursing intervention to the families stage of development, recognize the validity of family structural variations, and emphasize family strengths.
Definition of family health
Stanhope & Lancaster defines family health as “a dynamic chancing relative state of well-being which includes the biological, psychological, cultural and spiritual factors of the family system”.
Or
Family health may be defined as a state of wellbeing in the physical, mental, emotional and social spheres as it applies to the family as a group or the individual members. Family health depends upon the family’s physical & social environment, its life style & behavior, and satisfaction of its basic needs.
Family health nursing
Family health nursing is ideally continuous, comprehensive and personalized. This means it is ongoing, involves all family members and is adapted to meet their special needs. The goal is to preserve, protect and promote health.
Factor influencing family health
- Income and social status – higher income and social status are linked to better health. The greater the gap between the richest and poorest people, the greater the differences in
health. - Education – low education levels are linked with poor health, more stress and lower self- confidence.
- Physical environment – safe water and clean air, healthy workplaces, safe houses, communities and roads all contribute to good health. Employment and working conditions – people in employment are healthier, particularly those who have more control over their working conditions
- Social support networks – greater support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health. Culture – customs and traditions, and the beliefs of the family and community all affect health.
- Genetics – inheritance plays a part in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses. Personal behaviour and coping skills – balanced eating, keeping active, smoking, drinking, and how we deal with life’s stresses and challenges all affect health.
- Health services – access and use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health
- Gender – Men and women suffer from different types of diseases at different ages.
Roles and responsibilities of a nurse in family health nursing
1. Advocate- for rural clients & families, assisting them to obtain the best possible health care.
2. Coordinator/ case manager- Connecting rural clients with the health & social services they need.
3. Health teacher- providing education to individuals, families or groups on health promotion or other health- related topics.
4. Referral agent- making appropriate connections between rural clients & urban providers of services.
5. Mentor- to new community health nurse, nursing students, and other nurses new to the rural community.
6. Change agent/ researcher- Suggesting new approaches to solving patient care or community health problems based on research, professional literature, and community assessment.
7. Activist- Willing to take appropriate risks to improve the community’s health.
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