Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define health
It is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
Define illness
It is a reaction to a perceived biological alteration
It has both physical and social meanings and is highly individual, depending on the state of mind and cultural beliefs, as well as physiological and psychological stimuli
Define disease
It is a professionally defined by physicians, and for that reason, is supposed to be a more precise term
Define sickness
It is a social status conversed on an individual by others. This is the approach taken by sociologists
What are the three types of behavior in health and sickness?
Health behavior
Illness behavior
Sick role behavior
What is the definition of health behavior?
Refers to any activity that a person, who believes they are currently healthy, engages in with the aim of preventing disease or detecting a potential illness in its early, asymptomatic stage
Example of health behavior
Regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, getting vaccinations, or going for routine heath check-ups
Define illness behavior
Any actions taken by a person who perceives themselves as feeling unwell
The purpose is to understand the health condition, interpret signs and symptoms, and seek an appropriate remedy. It involves the individual’s beliefs about their illness and their responses to signs and symptoms, all aimed at achieving a state of wellness
Example of illness behavior
Visiting a doctor when experiencing persistent symptoms, searching for information about one’s symptoms, or trying home remedies to alleviate discomfort are instances of illness behavior
Define sick role behavior
Refers to activities undertaken by individuals who recognize themselves as being ill, and these actions are directed toward recovering and returning to a state of health.
Example of sick role behavior
Taking prescribed medications, following a recommended treatment plan, allowing rest to facilitate recovery
What are the factors affecting health and illness behaviors?
Illness attributes/perception, socioeconomic status, gender, education, age, religion,
How does illness attributes affect health and illness behavior?
Many acute illnesses are self-limiting and could be resolved with limited or without any medical intervention, while some require urgent medical attention
Some injuries and accidents require emergency and intensive care
In chronic illness, most patients often delay contact with the physician as symptoms may be limited. This is dangerous as early detection helps in proper management of the illness
How does socioeconomic status affect health and illness behaviors?
Most of the countries in Africa still do not have a functional insurance scheme, so health care is part of out-of-pocket expenditures
In society imbedded in poverty, many people cannot afford such services because basic needs such as food and shelter are grossly inadequate
How does gender affect health and illness behavior?
Most women in Africa require permission from their partners to access health care facilities
Men also bear the cost of spouses’ health care and decide when to access health care and what form of health care
How does education affect health and illness behavior?
Education creates an understanding that aims to influence individual lifestyle decisions and raises awareness of the determinants and risk factors of health and encourages individuals to adopt positive health and illness behavior
How does age affect health and illness behaviors?
Most lifestyle-related medical conditions are relatively lower among children, while some diseases are related to old age
The guardians take most decisions on health behavior on behalf of the school-age children
The youth takes self-responsibility for health and often engages in risky behaviors like smoking and alcohol
Health and illness behaviors have been deserved to be socially and culturally acquired from childhood
How does religion affect health and illness behaviors?
Religion is a source of life protection and healing from all forms of illness and adversities
There are growing number of faith-based healers who often believe that there is no disease beyond the power of God to cure
What risk behaviors does the religion prohibit?
Sexual, smoking, dietary behaviors, and alcohol consumption
In the case of illness what does religion provide?
Social support and improves health behaviors
It provides social meaning to life and raises personal connections with others
What are the pharmacist and patient behavior stages and opportunities ?
Symptom experience stage
Assuming the sick role
Medical care contact stage
What is the symptom experience stage?
Patients often enter the pharmacist’s domain during this stage seeking relief of symptoms or assistance in interpreting them
What are the responsibilities of pharmacists during symptom experience stage?
Offering safe and effective symptomatic treatments
Providing knowledgeable interpretation of symptoms is essential to ensure patients neither delay consulting a physician nor burden the healthcare system unnecessarily
What is the assuming the sick role?
Patients, in the sick role, aim to get better and may choose self-medication
Pharmacist are often the initial point of contact in this stage
Medical care contact stage
What is the pharmacist role during assuming the sick role?
Guiding patients toward appropriate self-medication choices
What is the role of pharmacist during medical care contact stage?
Depending on the nature of the contact, pharmacist can assist in accessing the healthcare system, help locate suitable medical services, and provide necessary pharmaceutical services and products
