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Showing posts from May, 2025

Social Determinants of Health

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The social determinants of health (SDH) are conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, which influence health outcomes and disparities. Understanding and addressing these determinants are crucial for promoting health equity and reducing health inequalities. Community health practitioners recognize the impact of SDH on health and work to address underlying social factors that contribute to disparities. One of the key social determinants of health is socioeconomic status, including income, education, and employment opportunities. Lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher rates of chronic diseases, limited access to healthcare, and poorer health outcomes. Community health practitioners implement interventions such as health education, income support programs, and job training to mitigate these disparities. Social and environmental factors such as housing conditions, neighborhood safety, and access to healthy food also influence health outcomes. Community he...

Community Engagement in Public Health Promotion

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  Community engagement is a critical aspect of public health promotion and healthcare delivery, with significant importance for community health practitioners. Engaging communities in healthcare initiatives fosters trust, promotes empowerment, and enhances the effectiveness of health interventions. Community health practitioners play a key role in facilitating meaningful engagement, which leads to positive health outcomes and improved community well-being. The importance of community engagement lies in its ability to mobilize resources, leverage local knowledge, and tailor interventions to community needs. Engaged communities are more likely to participate in health programs, adopt healthy behaviors, and sustain health-promoting activities beyond the intervention period. This active involvement strengthens the resilience of communities and contributes to long-term health improvements. Strategies for community engagement include participatory approaches, community-based participator...

Cultural Competence in Healthcare: Understanding Religious and Cultural Influences

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Cultural and religious influences profoundly shape healthcare practices, beliefs, and access, requiring community health practitioners to adopt culturally sensitive approaches effectively. Cultural and religious influences play a significant role in shaping healthcare practices and beliefs within communities, impacting the work of community health practitioners. Cultural norms, traditions, and beliefs often influence health-seeking behaviors, treatment preferences, and perceptions of illness. Community health practitioners must navigate these influences sensitively to ensure culturally competent and effective healthcare delivery. Cultural and religious beliefs may affect attitudes towards healthcare providers, treatment adherence, and decision-making processes related to health. For example, certain communities may prefer traditional healing methods or seek guidance from spiritual leaders alongside medical treatments. Understanding these beliefs and practices is essential for building ...

Community -Based Healthcare Delivery: Challenges And Opportunities.

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  Delivering healthcare in local communities require a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with serving diverse populations. From navigating infrastructure constraints to leveraging community engagement, healthcare practitioners must adapt their approaches to meet the specific needs of each community. I write to explore the complexities of healthcare delivery in local settings, highlighting the importance of tailored interventions, community partnerships, and innovative solutions. Healthcare delivery in local communities presents unique considerations and opportunities for community health practitioners . One of the key considerations is the diverse healthcare needs and challenges specific to each community, influenced by factors such as population demographics, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. Understanding these unique considerations is essential for tailoring healthcare interventions and strategies to meet the specific needs of t...

A Tribute To Parental Sacrifice

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I fed you when you were a newborn, And sponsored you when you were a youth, And you enjoyed what I harvested for you, If you fell sick one night,  I would not sleep but,  I keep awake all nights,  feeling sorry for you  As if I were the sick not you,  so my eyes get flooded with tears ®Ahmed Salim Jn ✍️

Parental Feelings Towards Children: An Islamic Perspective

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The bond between parents and children is one of the most profound and enduring relationships in human experience. It is a connection that transcends cultures, time, and circumstance, rooted in a deep - seated love and devotion that shapes the very fabric of our existence. From the moment a child is born parents are filled with an overwhelming sense of responsibility, protection, and care, driven by an instinctual desire to nurture and guide their little ones through life's Joys and challenges. It is intuitively known that the parent's hearts are disposed to love children, and are filled with psychological feelings and parental compassion for protecting, having mercy, sympathizing, and caring for them. But for that, the human race would have vanished, and the parents would not have had patience for looking after their children, sponsoring them, bringing them up, caring for them or seeking their interests. The Glorious Qur'an has depicted these parental feelings, so, sometime...

Challenges Faced by Community Health Practitioners

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Community health practitioners face various challenges in fulfilling their roles effectively, including resource constraints and training needs. One of the primary challenges is the lack of adequate funding and resources for healthcare facilities in many communities. Limited budgets result in shortages of medical supplies, equipment, and infrastructure, hindering the delivery of quality healthcare services. Additionally, community health practitioners often work in understaffed healthcare settings, leading to increased workloads and reduced capacity to meet community needs. The shortage of trained healthcare personnel, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, further exacerbates the challenges faced by community health practitioners. Addressing these human resource gaps is crucial for improving healthcare delivery in communities. Moreover, community health practitioners require continuous training and professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and...

A Step in the Right Direction : Acknowledging Airtel's Response to JAMB Score Service Glitch

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Yesterday, many Nigerians who rely on Airtel's network services experienced frustration when trying to check their JAMB scores. The glitch resulted in multiple charges for the service, leaving many feeling disheartened. However, in a remarkable display of accountability and customer-centricity, Airtel apologized and promptly refunded the excess charges. This swift response is a testament to Airtel's commitment to its customers and sets a shining example for other service providers to follow. In an era where customer trust is paramount, Airtel's actions demonstrate that the company values its users' loyalty and is dedicated to making things right when mistakes occur. Airtel's apology and refund serve as a reminder that transparency and accountability are essential in building trust between service providers and their customers. When companies take ownership of their mistakes and work to rectify them, it fosters a sense of reliability and confidence among users. As we...

Community Health Practitioners:Key drivers of National Development

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The pursuit of national development is inextricably linked to the health and well-being of its citizens. A strong health sector is essential for achieving economic growth, social progress, and human development. The health sector plays a crucial role in national development by contributing to improved health outcomes and overall well-being. One of the key contributions of the health sector is the promotion of a healthy population, which is essential for economic productivity and social development. Community health practitioners are integral to this process, as they work to prevent diseases, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide essential healthcare services. Additionally, the health sector contributes to human capital development, which is vital for sustainable national growth. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and implementing public health programs, countries can enhance their human resources for health. Community health practitioners pl...

Marriage Is a Selection And Choice:04

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We thank Allah for the journey through our themed series.  Among the instructions of Islam for selecting a wife is to be prolific, to achieve the purpose of marriage, i.e having children, preserving the human race, and inhabiting the universe. One of the women's (merits) is to bear children, and that is why the prophet (PBUH) preferred Khadijah (Allah Be Pleased with her) to his other wives. So, he mentioned that 'she gave him children while others did not' as inter alia- a privilege of hers. The prophet (PBUH) admonished not to marry barren women however beautiful they might be they might be. Abu Dawud, and An Nasai related that Maqil ibn Yasar said that a man came to the prophet (PBUH) and said to him 'I loved a well -bred and beautiful woman, but she is barren. Shall I marry her? The prophet said (No). The man came a second time and the prophet said (No). When he came the third time, the prophet said to him; marry the nice and prolific woman, as I shall take pride i...

Community Health Practitioners and Public Health Promotion

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Public health promotion encompasses various strategies and interventions aimed at improving the health outcomes of populations. One of the key strategies employed is health education, which involves providing information and raising awareness about health-related topics such as disease prevention and healthy lifestyles. Community health practitioners play a vital role in health education initiatives, delivering targeted messages and interventions to promote positive health behaviors among individuals and communities. In addition to health education, public health promotion includes advocacy for policies and programs that support population health. Community health practitioners advocate for initiatives such as tobacco control, vaccination programs, and nutrition policies that have a significant impact on public health outcomes. By engaging in advocacy efforts, these practitioners contribute to shaping environments that promote health and prevent diseases. Another important aspect of pu...

Marriage Is a Selection And Choice :03

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  Among the rational Islamic instructions regarding selecting a future wife is preferring virgins to women who were married before. This is because the Virgin is disposed to intimacy and familiarity with her first husband, contrary to the woman who was married before, since she may not find intimacy or love with her second husband. But the Virgin loves her husband, and does not long for another man, because he knew nobody but him. Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) made all these clear when she said to the prophet (PBUH), according to Al Bukhari, 'O messenger of Allah, if you were in a valley with two trees. One was eaten from, and the other was not eaten from, of which would you let your camel graze? He(PBUH) said; At the one which was not eaten from. She said; that is me'. She meant to point her precedence over his other wives, since she was the sole virgin wife he married. Indeed, the selection of a virgin is desirable unless there was a serious reason for marrying a deflower...

Role Of Community Health Practitioners In National Development:003

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Community health practitioners play diverse roles and carry significant responsibilities within the healthcare system. Their primary duty includes providing essential healthcare services to communities, especially in underserved areas. These practitioners often serve as the first point of contact for healthcare access, conducting health assessments, diagnosing common illnesses, and providing treatments. They also play a crucial role in health education and promotion, empowering individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors and prevent diseases.  In addition to direct patient care, community health practitioners are involved in disease surveillance and control. They monitor health trends within communities, identify outbreaks or potential health hazards, and collaborate with public health agencies to implement preventive measures. This proactive approach is vital for early detection of health threats and reducing the spread of infectious diseases, contributing to overall pu...

Marriage Is a Selection And Choice:02

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Among the rules laid down by Islam for choosing a spouse, is to choose your spouse from a family known for their righteousness, morals, noble birth, and honour. Ibn Majah, Al Hakim, and Al Bayhaqi related that Aisha (Allah Be Pleased with her) said that the prophet (PBUH) said: Choose for your sperms, and marry your equals, and let them marry your daughters. This Hadith, and many others, directs the attention to the necessity of choosing the noble birth, so that the man can get moral, pious, and righteous children. In accordance with this, Uthman ibn Abi Alas Al Thaqafi admonished his sons to select their wives, and avoid ill-bred families. He advised them saying; O sons, the man who seeks marriage is like one who seeds, so, everyone should see where he put his seeds, and it is quite rare to get noble offspring from the ill-bred, so, select your wives even if you had to wait for a while. Such a selection, that the prophet (PBUH) has advised us of, is taken as one of the greatest scient...

Marriage Is a Selection And Choice:01

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  Islam has established basis and rules for both the suitor and fiancé. If they followed and took them as guidelines, the marriage would be so successful and flourishing, and the family would be so faithful, moral, and secure. Marriage can be a choice based on religion. By 'religion', we mean sound understanding of Islam, practical application of all its rulings and manners, and full commitment to the shariah's methods and principles. If both the suitor and fiancé are up to such a standard of understanding, application, and commitment, we describe them as 'religious and well mannered'. That is why the prophet (PBUH) guided marriage seekers to look for the 'religious girl'. Al Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawid, An Nasai and Ibn Majah related that Abu Hurairah, said that the prophet (PBUH) said: It is axiomatic that woman is sought for marriage for four reasons; her wealth, her noble birth, her beauty, and her religion. So, get the religious one and strife for gett...

The Role Of Community Health Practitioners In National Development:002

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The role of community health practitioners in promoting public health and contributing to national development in Nigeria is crucial. However, several gaps and challenges need to be addressed to enhance their effectiveness and maximize their impact. One significant problem is the inadequate resources available to community health practitioners. This includes limited funding for healthcare facilities, insufficient medical supplies and equipment, and shortages of trained healthcare personnel. These resource constraints hinder the delivery of quality healthcare services and limit the scope of interventions that can be implemented in the  communities. Another key issue is the lack of comprehensive training and education opportunities for community health practitioners. Thank God The Bachelor Of Community Health Science (BCHS) program has kick started in our Universities, it's a great achievement but the journey is still far. While these professionals play crucial roles in public health...