Community Health Nursing (CHN): Key Features,
Importance, and Applications
1. Key Features of Community Health Nursing (CHN)
- Population-Focused Care: Addresses the health needs of individuals, families, and groups
within a community context rather than solely focusing on hospital-based care.
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Emphasizes proactive measures to maintain
wellness and prevent illness rather than just treating disease.
- Comprehensive and Holistic Approach: Considers physical, mental, emotional, social,
cultural, and environmental factors affecting health.
- Community Participation and Empowerment: Involves the community in identifying
problems, planning interventions, and sustaining solutions.
- Accessibility and Equity: Ensures that essential health services reach underserved and
vulnerable populations.
- Collaboration and Intersectoral Linkages: Works with other sectors (education,
agriculture, local government) to address social determinants of health.
- Continuity of Care: Provides ongoing care through home visits, follow-ups, and integration
with primary health services.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Utilizes research and data to guide community interventions.
2. Importance of These Features in Community Settings
- Improves Public Health Outcomes: Early prevention reduces disease incidence and burden
on healthcare facilities.
- Addresses Root Causes of Illness: Tackles social, environmental, and behavioral
determinants of health.
- Promotes Sustainability: Empowered communities are more likely to maintain health
initiatives independently.
- Enhances Equity: Focuses on marginalized populations, reducing health disparities.
- Builds Trust and Engagement: Active community participation fosters ownership and
cultural relevance of programs.
- Strengthens Health Systems: Collaboration ensures resources are maximized and
programs are effective.
By: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
3. CHN Applications in Specific Public Health Cases
a. Infectious Disease Control (e.g., Tuberculosis, COVID-19)
- Conducts contact tracing, community health education, and treatment adherence
monitoring.
- Collaborates with DOH programs to implement vaccination drives and infection control
measures.
b. Maternal and Child Health
- Provides prenatal and postnatal care, immunizations, and nutrition counseling at the
community level.
- Engages mothers’ groups to promote breastfeeding and family planning.
c. Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Leads risk assessments, community drills, and first aid training.
- Coordinates relief operations and psychosocial support post-disaster.
d. Non-Communicable Diseases (e.g., Hypertension, Diabetes)
- Organizes screening programs, lifestyle modification seminars, and community support
groups.
- Ensures follow-up for patients on long-term medication.
e. Environmental and Occupational Health
- Monitors sanitation, safe water supply, and workplace safety in communities.
- Advocates for environmental protection policies to reduce health hazards.
References:
Allender, J. A., Rector, C., & Warner, K. D. (2013). Community & public health nursing:
Promoting the public’s health (8th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Clark, M. J. (2015). Population and community health nursing (6th ed.). Pearson.
Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A., Snyder, S. J., & Harvey, S. (2018). Fundamentals of nursing:
Concepts, process and practice (10th ed.). Pearson.
Maurer, F. A., & Smith, C. M. (2013). Community/public health nursing practice: Health for
families and populations (5th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.
Nies, M. A., & McEwen, M. (2019). Community/public health nursing: Promoting the health
of populations (7th ed.). Elsevier.
By: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
Philippine Department of Health. (2019). Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act No.
11223). Retrieved from https://doh.gov.ph
World Health Organization. (2023). Global health observatory data repository. Retrieved
from https://www.who.int/data/gho
World Health Organization. (2021). Primary health care: Closing the gap between public
health and primary care. Retrieved from https://www.who.int
By: ROMMEL LUIS C. ISRAEL III
Clinical Instructor
