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UNIT-I. Illness and illness behaviour. PREPARED BY: Mr. Gireesh G.R. LEARNING OBJECTIVES. At the end of class the learner will be able to Define health and illness Elaborate on classification of illness Specify factors influencing health/dimensions of health
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UNIT-I Illness and illness behaviour PREPARED BY: Mr. Gireesh G.R
LEARNING OBJECTIVES • At the end of class the learner will be able to • Define health and illness • Elaborate on classification of illness • Specify factors influencing health/dimensions of health • List stages of illness behaviour
INTRODUCTION “Healthis a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (sickness)” (WHO, 1974). “ Health is not a condition; it is an adjustment. It is not a state but a process. The process adapts the individual not only to our physical, but also our social environments” (President Commission, 1953). Health is being well and using one’s power to the fullest extent. Health is maintained through prevention of disease via environmental health factors (Nightingale).
Health and illness • Most people define and describe health as: • Being free from symptoms of disease and pain as much as possible • Being able to be active and able to do what they want or must • Being in good spirits most of the time • Health and illness are highly individualized perceptions
Definition of illness • Illness is a personal (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, developmental or spiritual) state in which the person feels unhealthy. • An abnormal process in which aspects of social, emotional or intellectual condition and function of a person are diminished or impaired ( Patricia a potter) • Disease is an alteration in body functions resulting in reduction of capacities or shortening of normal life span. • May or may not be related to disease • Illness is highly subjective • Only he or she can say he or she is ill.
Classification • Acute illness • These are usually having a short duration, and is severe. The symptoms appear abruptly, are intense and often subside after a relatively short period. • Chronic illness • Persists usually longer than 6 months and can also affect functioning in any dimension.
Factors influencing health 1.Heredity- family history for diabetes mellitus; hypertension; cancer 2. Behavioral factors- cigarette smoking; alcohol abuse; high animal fat intake 3. Environmental factors- overcrowding; poor sanitation; poor supply of potable water
Factors affecting health and illness/Dimensions of health 1.PHYSICAL DIMENSION Genetic make-up, age, developmental level, race and sex are all part of an individual’s physical dimension and strongly influence health status and health practices. 2. EMOTIONAL DIMENSION • How the mind and body interact to affect body function and to respond to body conditions also influences health. • Long-term stress affects the body systems and anxiety affects health habits • conversely, calm acceptance and relaxation can actually change body responses to illness.
Factors affecting health and illness/Dimensions of health 3. INTELLECTUAL DIMENSION • The intellectual dimension encompasses cognitive abilities, educational background and past experiences. • These influence a client’s responses to teaching about health and reactions to health care during illness. • They also play a major role in health behaviors. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION • The environment has many influences on health and illness. • Housing, sanitation, climate, and pollution of air, food and water are aspects of environmental dimension.
Factors affecting health and illness/Dimensions of health 5. SOCIOCULTURAL DIMENSION • Health practices and beliefs are strongly influenced by a person’s economic level, life style, family and culture. • Low-income groups are less likely to seek health care to prevent or treat illness; high-income groups are more prone to stress-related habits and illness. • The family and the culture to which the person belongs determine patterns of living and values about health and illness that are often unalterable.
Contd…… 6. SPIRITUAL DIMENSION Spiritual and religious beliefs and values are important components of the way the person behaves in health and illness.
Stages of illness behavior STAGE 1: SYMPTOM EXPERIENCE • The person is aware that "something is wrong". A person usually recognizes a physical sensation or a limitation in functioning but does not suspect a specific diagnosis. • The person's perception of a symptom includes awareness of a physical change such as pain, a rash or a lump; evaluation of this change and a decision that it is a symptom of an illness, and an emotional response.
Stages of illness behavior STAGE 2 : ASSUMPTION OF THE SICK ROLE • If symptoms persist and become severe, clients assume the sick role. At this point the illness becomes a social phenomenon, and sick people seek confirmation from their families and social groups that they are indeed ill and that they be excused from normal duties and role expectations.
Stages of illness behavior STAGE 3: MEDICAL CARE CONTACT • If symptoms persist despite the home remedies, become severe, or require emergency care, the person is motivated to seek professional health services. • In this stage the client seeks expert acknowledgement of the illness as well as the treatment.
Stages of illness behavior STAGE 4 : DEPENDENT CLIENT ROLE • The client depends on health care professionals for the relief of symptoms. • The client accepts care, sympathy and protection from the demands and stresses of life. • A client can adopt the dependent role in a health care institution, at home, or in a community setting. • The client must also adjust to the disruption of a daily schedule.
STAGE 5 : RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION This stage can arrive suddenly, such as when the symptoms disappeared. In the case of chronic illness, the final stage may involve in an adjustment to a prolonged reduction in health and functioning.
Conclusion • The illness experience is described and analyzed according to the following five stages demarcating critical transition and decision-making points in medical care and behavior; (1) symptom-experience; (2) assumption of the sick role; (3) medical care contact; (4) dependent-patient role; (5) recovery or rehabilitation. • Each stage is found to present new problems and to require different kinds of decisions and medical actions.
EVALUATION Question 1 . Define stages of illness behaviour? 2. Explain in detail factors affecting health?