CCHP-SLP-4

Running Head: RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPECTATIONS SLP PAPER 0

Relationships and Expectations SLP Paper

Introduction

This paper is about the Relationships and Expectations of the cultural group and health issue, discussed in the module 1. This includes African-Americans cultural group and diabetes issue respectively. Additionally, the application of the three factors of PEN-3 model on the target audience has also been described below.

Relationships and Expectations

Culture refers to the ideas, customs as well as the social behaviour which are integrated into the behaviour of a given group of people. Undeniably, the culture of different groups of people influences their beliefs and behaviours as far as their health is concerned. It also influences the health status of different persons, families as well as communities.

Generally African-Americans group found less aware about unhealthy eating behaviour that lead to the prevalence of diabetes. This ignorance made this cultural group difficult to seek proper medical attention. Though, religious and social groups are the best sources that can encourage African-Americans to adopt health living styles and provide health education to prevent from diabetic issues in future.

Three Factors of PEN-3 Model

The PEN-3 model was developed by a health educator by the name, Dr. Collins Airhihenbuwa. This model is crucial in guiding the development of interventions in the health of people. It does this through the incorporation of the cultural influences and effects on the health behaviours. This model contains three parts of health beliefs as well as behaviours which work together in influencing health (Hall et al., 2015). These parts are the expectations and relationships, cultural empowerment and cultural identity.

Under the relationship and expectations dimension, there are three factors namely, perception, enablers and nurturers and they are abbreviated as PEN. These factors aid in determining the issues which affect family, individuals or even the health actions of a community.

Perception

Perception includes the knowledge, beliefs, as well as values, may hinder or even, fosters the motivation of adopting some certain health behaviours (Sharma et al., 2016). These could either be positive or negative. An example, in this case, would be that being overweight is not a must to be accompanied by a bad image of the body especially for the majority of African-Americans. Here, the intended health interventions through education must start with the individual’s needs and desires which are perceived as opposed to those defined by the planners. Primary and secondary data is needed in accessing the perceived and actual needs as well.

Enablers

These are the forces which could enhance or even hinder the health behaviours as well as the beliefs (Sharma et al., 2016). These forces could be societal, structural or systematic and they may include referrals, accessibility, available resources, skills or other types of resources. For instance, some of the African-Americans are unable to have access to vegetables, fresh fruits or medical services. Therefore, this cultural group is more likely to developed unhealthy eating behaviour. Thus, it increases more chances of increased diabetic issue in this cultural group.

Nurturers

These are basically the factors which reinforce and indicate that a person can get other significant factors. They could also be either positive or negative. For instance, it may include employers, religious leaders, peers, government officials or even extended family. In African-Americans cultural group, it is required to mediate coordination with these nurturers for receiving positive health outcomes reduce negative health issues.

Conclusion

The factors associated with PEN-3 model are the best source to determine health issue affecting African-Americans. They also aid in identifying the best solution of their health concern.

References

Hall, Marla B., et al. "Bias within: Examining the role of cultural competence perceptions in mammography adherence." SAGE Open 5.1 (2015): 2158244015576547.

Sharma, Manoj. Theoretical foundations of health education and health promotion. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2016.

Melancon, Jim, Jody Oomen-Early, and Lydia M. del Rincon. "Using the PEN-3 Model to Assess Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Diabetes Type 2 among Mexican American and Mexican Native Men and Women in North Texas." International Electronic Journal of Health Education 12 (2009): 203-221.