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This is the complete lecture note for EHS 307 EHS Introduction to Primary Health Care. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS EHS 307 Introduction to Primary Health Care Series 1 Concepts, Principles, and Evolution of Primary Health Care Part 1 Concepts of Primary Health Care • 1.1 Definition of Primary Health Care (PHC) • 1.2 Related terms: immunology, universal health coverage, immunisation, vaccination • 1.3 Importance of PHC in health systems Part 2 Principles of Primary Health Care • 2.1 Equity and accessibility • 2.2 Community participation • 2.3 Intersectoral collaboration • 2.4 Appropriate technology and sustainability Part 3 History and Evolution of Primary Health Care • 3.1 Global development of PHC (Alma-Ata Declaration, 1978) • 3.2 Evolution of PHC in Nigeria • 3.3 Contemporary relevance of PHC in public health practice Introduction Health systems across the world are built on different foundations, yet one approach has consistently proven to be both practical and sustainable: Primary Health Care (PHC). Imagine a community where every individual, regardless of income or location, has access to essential health services. This vision is at the heart of PHC, which emphasises prevention, equity, and community participation. Understanding its concepts, principles, and historical development is crucial, as these elements form the backbone of modern health delivery and provide the context for all other aspects of this course. The aim of this Series is to introduce you to the foundations of PHC by defining its core concepts, explaining its guiding principles, and tracing its evolution both globally and within
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Nigeria. By doing so, you will gain the knowledge needed to appreciate how PHC has shaped health systems and continues to influence public health practice today. We shall commence this Series by exploring the concepts of PHC, including its definition and related terms such as immunology, universal health coverage, immunisation, and vaccination. Next, we will examine the principles of PHC, focusing on equity, accessibility, community participation, intersectoral collaboration, and sustainability. Finally, we will conclude with the history and evolution of PHC, beginning with the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 and moving on to its development and relevance in Nigeria. This structured journey will provide you with a clear and comprehensive understanding of the foundations of Primary Health Care. Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • define the term Primary Health Care (PHC) and related concepts such as immunology, universal health coverage, immunisation, and vaccination, • explain the importance of PHC within health systems and its role in promoting equity and accessibility, • analyse the guiding principles of PHC, including community participation, intersectoral collaboration, appropriate technology, and sustainability, • trace the global history of PHC with reference to the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, • evaluate the evolution of PHC in Nigeria and its contemporary relevance in public health practice. Part 1 Concepts Of Primary Health Care 1.1 Definition of Primary Health Care (PHC) Primary Health Care (PHC) refers to essential health services that are universally accessible to individuals and families in a community. It is based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods that are made available to everyone through their full participation and at a cost the community and country can afford. PHC emphasises prevention, equity, and community involvement, making it the foundation of health systems worldwide. Fill in the blank: Primary Health Care is based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially ______ methods.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.2 Related terms: immunology, universal health coverage, immunisation, vaccination Immunology is the branch of biomedical science that studies the immune system and its responses to pathogens. Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. Immunisation is the process of making a person immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically through vaccines. Vaccination is the act of administering a vaccine to stimulate the body’s immune response against disease.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS These terms are closely linked to PHC because they represent preventive and inclusive approaches to health. Fill in the blank: Universal health coverage ensures that all people have access to health services without ______ hardship. Term Definition in the Context of Public Health Universal Health Coverage ($\text{UHC}$) The concept that all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, without enduring financial hardship. $\text{UHC}$ is a key goal of $\text{PHC}$. Immunology The branch of biomedical science concerned with the structure and function of the immune system, immunity, and serology. It provides the scientific basis for vaccine development and monitoring disease outbreaks. Immunisation The process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. It is a critical, cost-effective $\text{PHC}$ intervention. Vaccination The act of administering a vaccine to a person or animal. It is the specific delivery method used to achieve immunisation. 1.3 Importance of PHC in health systems PHC is important because it provides the first level of contact between individuals and the health system. It promotes equity by ensuring that health services are available to all, regardless of social or economic status. PHC also reduces the burden on hospitals by focusing on prevention and early intervention. In Nigeria and globally, PHC is recognised as a cost-effective and sustainable approach to improving population health. Fill in the blank: Primary Health Care promotes equity by ensuring health services are available to all, regardless of ______ status.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1 1. Define Primary Health Care. 2. State one related term and its meaning. 3. Why is PHC important in health systems? 4. Fill in the blank: Immunisation is the process of making a person ______ to an infectious disease. 5. Fill in the blank: PHC reduces the burden on hospitals by focusing on ______ and early intervention.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Part 2 Principles Of Primary Health Care 2.1 Equity and accessibility Equity in health means fairness, ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to access health services regardless of their social, economic, or geographical status. Accessibility refers to the ease with which people can obtain health services when they need them. These principles are central to PHC because they guarantee that no one is left behind in the pursuit of health. Fill in the blank: Equity in health means fairness, ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to access ______ services. 2.2 Community participation Community participation means involving individuals, families, and communities in planning, implementing, and evaluating health services. This principle ensures that health programmes are relevant, culturally acceptable, and sustainable. When communities take ownership of health initiatives, they are more likely to succeed.
LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Fill in the blank: Community participation ensures that health programmes are relevant, culturally acceptable, and ______. Level of Participation Description of Community Role Example in PHC Benefit to the Health System 1. Non-Participation ($\text{Manipulation/Therapy}$) Community members are placed on 'advisory' boards but have no real power. The "participation" is a pretense. A public meeting where health officials simply announce a pre-decided policy without debate. None (Can lead to frustration and distrust). 2. Tokenism ($\text{Informing}$) Health officials provide information to the community but offer no opportunity for feedback or input. A bulletin board announcement detailing a new clinic schedule without consulting residents on timing. Basic Awareness. The community knows what is happening, even if they don't agree. 3. Tokenism ($\text{Consultation}$) Community members are asked for opinions, often through surveys or focus groups, but the health authority retains the right to decide whether or not to use the input. Conducting a survey to ask which health issue is most concerning, but health service priorities remain unchanged. Gauges Public Opinion. Provides data on community priorities and preferences.
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