Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Penang, Malaysia

27-30 September 1999

Two World Views, but Barking at the Same Moon : A Comparative Study of Teaching and Learning Processes Involved in Primary Health Care Programs in Yogyakarta and Vancouver.

Siva Lowings, RN, RPN, B.Sc.Hons(Psych), MPHC, PhD candidate

Chris Lowings, RN, RPN, B.Ng, Master in Advanced Nursing(current)

School of Nursing, University of South Australia, Whyalla Norrie.

Abstract

There is a great deal of evidence present to suggest that simple health
promotion measures, rather than complicated, expensive medical interventions,
are effective in increasing general health levels. The difficulty, however,
lies in imparting this knowledge to the target population, as the level of
basic education has been recognised as the limiting factor to people
understanding such concepts of health.

It is argued by the presenters that the literacy and education levels of the
participants and consumers of primary health care programs will influence the
method of delivery and the outcome of such programs. It is further argued that
simple measures should be taken to teach such concepts of health promotion. The
presenters will look at aspects of primary health care programs they have been
involved with in Vancouver, Canada and in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where the
basic levels of education are widely disparate. They will present a comparison
of the way that Primary Health Care information is presented for these target
groups. Topics discussed include Lifestyle Issues such as Exercise,
Environmental Health, HIV /AIDS and Basic Nutrition .

Observing these differences has provided the presenters with some valuable
insights into the way in which programs should be designed for individual
populations who learn very differently as a result of the world view in which
they have been enculturated.

Presentation Format: 45 min paper.