Public Health Nursing Staff Health Education Attitudes.

Overview & Synopsis

Health education attitudes toward prevention, detection, and treatment of selected chronic diseases and conditions confronting public health nursing staffs were investigated at a Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services District, which is composed of 16 county public health units (CPHU). Findings were used to determine type of courses and approaches to be offered in a staff training program designed to promote the education of patients and to focus on lifestyle-related diseases. Responses to the questionnaire (68% response rate) were received from 93 public health nursing staff, all of whom were female and predominantly white (90%). The proportions were 82% nurses, 16.2% nursing aides, and 2.2% nutritionists. Respondents perceived health education as important for public health work and also wished to help patients change unhealthy behavioral practices. Findings suggest that respondents had a stronger commitment to patient education than to community education. Therefore, the staff training program focused on patient education skills building and nursing content courses related CPHU patient lifestyle and health issues. The health education methods course focused on patient education and behavior change, small group instruction techniques, and interpersonal community skills. (SW)