Making health a primary concern: the Jayawijaya WATCH project Case Study Student Activities Teacher's Notes Overview Primary health care is a key strategy in improving people's living conditions and community health, especially in isolated areas of developing countries. The Jayawijaya WATCH (Women and their children's health) project has contributed to improved community health in the highlands of Irian Jaya [Papua], the eastern-most province of Indonesia. Level Upper Secondary Links with nationally developed statements and profiles Note: This case study has been written with particular attention to the VCE Health and Human Development Curriculum, Unit 4, An international perspective on development and health. The case study is also useful for the following learning areas: Health and personal development Health of individuals and populations (Concept strand) Studies of Society and Environment Place and space, resources (Concept Strands) Investigation, communication and participation (Process Strand) Objectives to outline causes of morbidity and mortality in the highlands of Irian Jaya [Papua], as an example of an isolated community in a developing country; to identify key elements of primary health care as a strategy to optimise people's health in developing countries; to analyse factors which influence the effectiveness of primary health care and related programs; to understand the role of governments and non-government organisations in providing sustainable health care in developing countries. Preparation Obtain atlases with a map of Indonesia including Irian Jaya [Papua], preferably showing relief and roads. Collect information about community health services and materials used for health education in your own and other neighbourhoods in Australia (see resources). For activity 12, collect information about other primary health programs from various non-government agencies and from the Australian Government's overseas aid agency's quarterly magazine, Focus. Procedure The case study could be introduced by referring to a map of Indonesia, locating Irian Jaya [Papua] and discussing the likely health needs of people in the highlands. It may be useful to review students understanding of the term primary health care before reading the case study. Their ideas could be compared with this formal definition: Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology, made available to all individuals and families through their full participation at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain (based on the WHO/UNICEF definition, 1978.) It is suggested that teachers (and /or students) select the activities that best suit their learning objectives. Some tasks (eg 1,2,4) could be addressed by class discussion, while others are suitable for group work (eg 3,7,8,10,11) or individual response (eg 5,11,12). Activities 1-7 focus on the health situation in Jayawijaya and specific efforts to improve it. Activities 8-10 explore broad issues relating to primary health care strategies and suggest areas for student research. Activities 11 and 12 involve students comparing, analysing and recommending strategies to optimise health and development. Resources Printed materials Kahama Child Survival for Development Project, appendix to D Patterson "An international perspective on development and health" in ECHO (journal of VHETTA), vol 39 no1, 2000 - 2-page case study of a program in Tanzania, east Africa. Ph: 03) 9888 2240. "Giving children a healthy start" in Focus (the Australian Government's overseas aid agency's quarterly journal), September 1996, pages 23-28 - case study of project in Bali. Contact Canberra Mailing - Ph: 02) 6269 1230 OR E-mail books@ausaid.gov.au. Web materials Click here for other health case studies on the Global Ed. Website. Case studies of UNICEF primary health programs including in Sao Tome (a very small African nation) at www.unicef.org/saotome/health.htm in Vietnam at www.unicef.org/vietnam/index.htm The World Health Organisation provides information on a wide variety of health topics including diseases, environment and health, family and reproductive health, health policies, health and technology, and lifestyle. http://www.who.int/ Health and Nutrition and Population, a World Bank site with information on general health issues, nutrition and health, and population and reproductive health. http://www.worldbank.org/html/extdr/hnp/hnp.htm The United Nations has information on HIV/AIDS in different countries and regions. http://www.unaids.org The University of Queensland has an extensive list of Australian and International sites related to public health. http://www.acithn.uq.edu.au/phlinks.html The United Nations has an education site with teaching modules on various development issues. The health module is titled 'Fighting Diseases' http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/index.html Videos Health matters: increasing child survival in Mozambique (1991) 18 mins - illustrates aspects of primary health care as well as emergency feeding in the context of war. Available from World Vision state offices, for loan or purchase. Ph: 03) 9287 2306. * Further information and resources can be obtained from the Professional Development Providers. Top © Commonwealth of Australia