According to World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of complete wellbeing --- physical, social, mental and spiritual. It is not just the mere absence of diseases. And young people's health is often complex, and it requires a holistic and bio-psychosocial approach. Young people have particular health problems no matter where they live; the nature of and responses to these problems may differ from country to country because of social, economic and cultural factors. Today many young people engage in risky behaviours that affect their health and, therefore, the majority of health problems are psychosocial. Some young people experience multiple problems. These behaviours are established as those of young persons, and go on to become the lifestyles of adults leading to chronic health problems. Social, cultural and environmental factors are all important.
The module Youth and Health, published by Commonwealth Secretariat, London, examines some of the contemporary health issues that affect young people, such as nutrition and diet, sexual and reproductive health, drug abuse and so on. It also defines the essential skills and knowledge for effective youth health promotion. The module looks at the need for appropriate alliances with health agencies and NGOs, enabling practitioners to recognise the different roles they have, and how to foster effective working relationship.
The module is divided into 5 units. Unit#1: Defining Youth and Health discusses some key concepts --- youth, health, primary health care, health promotion and health education. It also examines how patterns of health are both produced by social structures and cultures, and socially defined, with important consequences for health-related behaviour. The dominant model of health throughout the developed world is the 'medical model'. This model requires massive social spending on training of health professionals, pharmaceutical products and medical technology. In recent years, social scientists have been arguing for a 'social model' of health which acknowledges that health is determined by social and environmental conditions. A 'social model' of health looks at creating the conditions which promote good health and make illness and disease less likely. Primary health care - which refers to services provided at the community level, for example by doctors, nurses, counsellors and other health professionals at community clinics, schools, the workplace or at the homes of patients - has been influenced by the research based more on the 'social model' of health than the 'medical model'.
Unit# 2: Involving Young People examines how young people can be involved in their own health care by empowering them to actively participate in all aspects of youth health programmes. Youths form a very large segment of the world population, especially in developing countries. Therefore, they are a major resource that can be mobilised against issues that concern them such as health. Young people can take an active part in research activities, especially those that target youths. They can participate as community education agents. To actively participate in the planning, development and implementation of youth health projects, young people need good communication skills and information about health issues and health services in their communities. Factors which facilitate youth participation in health care projects include: i) recognition of a problem affecting them, ii) knowledge and skills related to the identified problem and recognition of possible solutions to the problem, and iii) availability of local/external resources.
Proper food and good nutrition are essential for survival, physical and mental growth and development, and good health across the entire life-span - from the earliest stages of foetal development, at birth through infancy, childhood, adolescence, pregnancy and lactation, throughout adulthood and the elderly stage. Unit# 3 of the module discusses the major health issues related to nutrition affecting communities locally, regionally and globally. It also focuses on the WHO's Nutrition Programme that aims to promote the nutritional wellbeing of all people of all ages, gender and race, and to prevent, reduce and ultimately eliminate all forms of malnutrition, with priority emphasis on the world's most malnourished, vulnerable and needy populations. A Healthy Diet Pyramid is also incorporated in this unit which is helpful for use in education programmes, and it gives us an easy way of focusing on which foods we should eat more of and which we should resist.
Unit# 4: Sexual and Reproductive Health discusses some major health issues such as contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS. About half a million women die every year from pregnancy and childbirth-related problems throughout the world. Almost 90 per cent of these deaths occur in the developing world, including Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Pacific. Unprotected sexual activities among young people have various socio-economic and medical consequences. Adolescents who become pregnant are likely to drop out of school, and many are not able to continue their education after delivery. Abortion is widespread, and unsafe abortion is an increasing problem, with health and socio-economic consequences affecting young women in particular. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) constitute another major health problem across the world. In some countries 10 per cent of all hospital treatment-seekers are STD cases. Impacts of HIV/AIDS on youths are multifarious. It causes serious socio-economic and health losses to communities as well as countries. Young people have the right to have accurate information and relevant services that will protect them from sexual and reproductive health care problems.
The module's last chapter Unit# 5: Drug Abuse examines the aspects of health resulting from and relating to substance use and misuse. Alcohol and drug abuse is increasingly becoming a very serious problem in both industrialised and developing countries. Major factors that lead to drug abuse by youths are: lack of information about the dangers of drug abuse, limited and/or ineffective law enforcement systems and family problems or disruptions. Drug abuse is associated with a number of health and social problems such as increased crime and violence among youths, deviant behaviour, poor health, the spread of HIV/AIDS, social displacement and exploitation of young people by society. Communities, and young people themselves, can do a lot to prevent drug abuse among youths. The most important approaches to drug prevention are: i) increasing awareness of the dangers of drug use and abuse among youths, ii) integrating drug prevention education into formal school activities to reach school youths, iii) motivating youths to adopt and maintain positive behaviours such as controlling personal feelings, and social responsibilities, iv) educating parents in recognising signs and symptoms of drug abuse in early stages so that they can seek effective treatment for their children, and so on.
The module Youth and Health that is being used as a study guide for the Commonwealth Youth Diploma in Development Work Programme at the universities around the world is also a useful tool for health professionals, researchers, youth workers, policymakers and individuals interested to learn more about contemporary youth health issues.
The writer is an independent researcher.
 smrayhanulislam@hotmail.com
Role of holistic approach in youth health promotion
S. M. Rayhanul Islam reviewing the work | Published: September 05, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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