CABARROGUIS CAMPUS

Cabarroguis, 3400 Quirino

DEPARTMENT OF MIDWIFERY
www.qsu.edu.ph
[email protected]

What Is This Module About?

1
In this module, you will study about community and its component. In here,
you will be able to have a background on maintaining a healthy community which will
guide you during your community duty.

This module contains six lessons. These are:

Lesson 1 – Definition of Community, Characteristics, and Classification

Lesson 2 – Components of a Community
Lesson 3 – Concepts of a Healthy Community
Lesson 4 – Elements of a Healthy Community
Lesson 5 – Factors that affect Community Health
Lesson 6 – Effects of a Healthy Community

What Will You Learn From This Module?

After studying this module, you should be able to:

 Learn the definition of a community, its characteristics and classification;

 Know the components, elements and concepts of a community; and
 Handle a community and maintain a healthy community

LESSON 1: DEFINITION OF TERMS, CHARACTERISTICS, AND CLASSIFICATION

Reflective Thinking Activity

Try answering the questions below. Write your answers on the sheets provided.

1. How do you define community? Define it using your own words.

2. Define healthy community in your own understanding.
3. What have you learned in your previous years about the classifications of a
community? List them.

LET‟S LEARN

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DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Community derived from a Latin word “ communicas” which means a group of
people. Hence, this is a group of people with common characteristics or
interests living together within a territory or geographical boundary. This is also
a place where people under usual conditions are found.
 Community Health is a part of paramedical and medical intervention/approach
which is concerned on the health of the whole population.
 Healthy Community goes beyond a quality medical care and is reflected in the
social and environmental factors that promote well-being. It is a place where all
are free from discrimination and oppression and there is equitable access to the
resources needed for optimal health.
 Public Health is directed towards assisting every citizen to realize his birth
rights and longevity. This is the science and art of preventing disease,
prolonging life and efficiency through organized community effort.

COMMUNITY: ITS CHARACTERISTICS

Below are the characteristics of a healthy community that are most important
to fostering a fit and wellness-centered lifestyle.
 The physical environment is safe and clean.
 The environment meets everyone‟s basic needs.
 The environment promotes social harmony and actively involves everyone.
 There is an understanding of the local health and environment issues.
 The community participates in identifying local solutions to local problems.
 Community members have access to varied experiences, interaction and
communication.
 The health services are accessible and appropriate.
 The historical and cultural heritage is promoted and celebrated.
 There is a diverse and innovative economy.
 There is a sustainable use of available resources for all.

COMMUNITY: ITS CLASSIFICATION

 Formal Communities engage in joint activities and discussion, help each other,
and share information with each other. They also care about their standing with
each other.
Examples of these are the ecovillages, co-housing communities, co-ops,
and religious communities.
 Informal Communities consists of a set of personal relations, social networks,
common interest and emotional sources of motivation.
Examples of these are the academic communities, recreation, and
retirement communities.
 Urban Communities are large in terms of land area and population, advanced in
science and technology, with favorable physical, environmental diverse cultures
and the people are engaged in various occupations.
Characteristics:
Advancement in science and technology
Many business establishments, recreational centers, educational and
religious institutions
People are crowded
Greater population
Many crimes are committed
Family ties tend to be weak
Limited space
High standard of living
 Rural Communities are separately settled places away from the influence of large
cities and towns. People in this community lives in villages, on farms and in
other isolated houses, as in pre-industrial societies. They usually produce their
own food for subsistence.
 Sub-Urban Communities are usually close to, but not in, cities. There are fewer
people than in urban communities, but many more than in rural communities.
Houses are often in neighborhoods and many people have yards.

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 LESSON 2: COMPONENTS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

The key components for creating healthy, equitable communities build on the
great work of our partners and were identified through analyzing local health data
and research, and gathering extensive community feedback.

Four priority areas were identified as key priorities for healthy, equitable
communities that focus on the root causes of health, grouped as: Healthy Housing,
Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Schools, and a Healthy Economy.

 Effective Community Leadership

Healthy communities have, and develop, public leaders who work
together to enhance the longterm future of the community. Community
leadership must be responsive, honest, efficient, enlightened, fair and
accountable. It should have the ability to bring the community together to
participate in open, neutral dialogue on important issues. Leaders should be
representative of their community and be able to envision an economically
secure, environmentally sound and socially viable future. Leaders should
understand the challenges facing the community and be able to take advantage
of opportunities within the community and in cooperation with neighboring
ones. Leadership should empower community members to assist in resolving
community issues.
 Informed Citizen Participation
In a healthy community, citizens actively participate through voting in
local elections, serving on local boards, attending public hearings, and being
involved in civic organizations and community activities. The increasing
complexity of municipal operations is limiting the ability of government to meet
community needs, escalating the importance of active citizen involvement and
volunteerism. All sectors within a community -- private, public, and nonprofit --
must each take responsibility for the community's civic education and exchange
information with the public. All citizens need to develop knowledge and skills to
contribute to community life. Shared problem solving and planning for the
future as a community increases local pride and commitment.
 Sense of Community
A sense of community is an intangible yet vital component of a healthy
community. It encompasses elements such as image, spirit, character and
pride, along with processes such as communication, inter-group relations, and
networking. A community is made up of different people with different interests,
experiences and backgrounds. These characteristics may divide a community
into natural groups but there must be cooperation among them if the
community is to work well as a unit. Increased communication and
understanding of different perspectives among groups and within the
community as a whole is an important factor in establishing a sense of
community. Villages, towns, and cities with a sense of community include those
wherein all members: contribute to and hold a common vision for the future;
respect and celebrate their heritage, diversity, and resources; share
information, and; develop and sustain an abundance of social networks and
relationships.
 Fostering Healthy Families, Individuals, and Youth
Most communities face a variety of challenging social issues, such as
substance abuse, domestic abuse, poverty, and other concerns related to the
elderly, youth, and families. Addressing these concerns effectively takes the
coordinated efforts of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Support
services such as adequate child day care, comprehensive after-school, youth,
teen, and senior programs, preventative health and substance abuse programs,
parenting and family support programs, and effective human service networks
help strengthen the social fabric of a community. Aided by effective
communication, compassionate leadership, active citizen participation, and
inter-group cooperation, a comprehensive package of supportive services will
enable a community to nurture healthy community members.
 Lifelong Education and Learning
Education is a lifelong endeavor, much more extensive than just the K-
12 school system. It starts at home, continues through childhood and the teen

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 years, and progresses throughout adult life. People of all ages need to develop
knowledge and skills in order to improve the quality of their own lives and those
of their families, and to contribute more effectively to community life. Programs
of higher education and lifelong learning provide local businesses with a pool of
trained employees. Other formal and informal learning opportunities allow
community members to discover hidden talents and develop an array of
interests and skills. Lifelong learning allows citizens to manage their lives more
effectively in a changing economy and to participate in increasingly complex
municipal operations with greater knowledge and skill.
 Community Services, Facilities, and Utilities
A community provides many essential facilities and services to its
members - public facilities such as municipal buildings, schools, parks,
pathways and trails, roads, libraries, a recycling center, and cemeteries, and
services and utilities such as police, fire, ambulance, highway maintenance,
information dissemination, and possibly water, and sewer. These key functions
consume the majority of tax dollars and sharply influence the community's
quality of life.
 Recreation and Cultural Heritage
Recreational and cultural activities nurture the body and soul of a
community - individual and team sports, outdoor activities, art, crafts, music,
dance, theater, holidays, festivals, and celebrations. Recreational opportunities
allow community members to experience and appreciate the community's
diversity of natural and human resources. Cultural activities reflect and build a
community's positive sense of itself and strengthen the fabric of social
interactions within the community.
 Working Landscape and the Natural Environment
Natural resources and historical assets of a community contribute
significantly to the quality of life for residents and play an integral part in
defining community character. The lakes, streams, rivers, walking trails,
working farms, forests, clean air, historic buildings and ruins, special places,
wildlife, and open land help determine a community's personality and
contribute to the everyday pleasures of community life. A successful community
recognizes the importance of these assets and takes appropriate measures to
assure their continuance.
 Economic Vitality
The private, public and non-profit sectors are all important in attracting
new investment and in developing new businesses that suit the character of the
community and meet its needs. The need to sustain successful workplaces is an
important factor to the health of a community. The more often money circulates
within the community before leaving, the more the community benefits. A
healthy community includes access to a variety of environmentally sound
businesses, industries, and institutions that provide reasonable wages and
benefits to workers, engage in family-friendly policies, provide workers with
opportunities to develop marketable skills, and contribute to the overall
wellbeing of the community.
 Growth and Development
A community can more effectively manage its growth through the
prudent use of local zoning districting and ordinances and planning regulations
that guide how land is divided, used, and developed. These tools allow the
community to regulate the development of residential areas, commercial
districts, and the village centers. These are key considerations in managing
growth while maintaining community character. Another important factor in the
development of a healthy community is the diversity of the housing. This
encompasses availability, affordability, and location, all of which affect the lives
of community members, especially the elderly, disabled, and low-income
families.
 Transportation
A community's strategic location and economic importance bring many
people to live, work, and shop here. Roads get most of us where we need and
want to go, and most people drive their own cars for convenience. However,
more vehicles sharing the roads results in increased highway maintenance, air
pollution, and traffic congestion. Alternatives to automobile travel can include
pedestrian and bicycle travel, broadband/internet based ordered and delivered
goods and services, and bus and rail transportation.
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 LESSON 3: CONCEPTS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

There are many ways to think about community. We will explore four of the most
relevant, each of which provides different insights into the process of community
engagement.
 Systems Perspective
From a systems perspective, a community is similar to a living creature,
comprising different parts that represent specialized functions, activities, or
interests, each operating within specific boundaries to meet community needs.
For example, schools focus on education, the transportation sector focuses on
moving people and products, economic entities focus on enterprise and
employment, faith organizations focus on the spiritual and physical well-being
of people, and healthcare agencies focus on the prevention and treatment of
diseases and injuries (Henry, 2011). For the community to function well, each
part has to effectively carry out its role in relation to the whole organism. A
healthy community has well-connected, interdependent sectors that share
responsibility for recognizing and resolving problems and enhancing its well-
being. Successfully addressing a community‟s complex problems requires
integration, collaboration, and coordination of resources from all parts
(Thompson et al.,1990). From a systems perspective, then, collaboration is a
logical approach to health improvement.

 Social Perspective
A community can also be defined by describing the social and political
networks that link individuals, community organizations, and leaders.
Understanding these networks is critical to planning efforts in engagement. For
example, tracing social ties among individuals may help engagement leaders to
identify a community‟s leadership, understand its behaviour patterns, identify
its high-risk groups, and strengthen its networks (Minkler et al., 1997).

 Virtual Perspective
Some communities map onto geographically defined areas, but today,
individuals rely more and more on computer-mediated communications to
access information, meet people, and make decisions that affect their lives
(Kozinets, 2002). Examples of computer-mediated forms of communication
include email, instant or text messaging, e-chat rooms, and social networking
sites as facebook, youtube, twitter (Flavian et al.,2005). Social groups or groups
with a common interest that interact in an organized fashion on the internet are
considered “virtual communities” (Rheingold, 2000; Ridings et al., 2002).
Without question, these virtual communities are potential partners for
community-engaged health promotion and research.

 Individual Perspective
Individuals have their own sense of community membership that is
beyond the definitions of community applied by researchers and engagement
leaders. Moreover, they may have a sense belonging to more than one
community. In addition, their sense of membership can change over time and
may affect their participation in community activities (Minkler et al., 2004).
The philosopher and psychologist William James shed light on this issue
in his writings. James thought it is important to consider two perspectives on
identity: the “I” or how a person thinks about himself or herself, and the “me”,
or how others see and think about that person. Sometimes these two views
agree and result in a shared sense of an identity, but other times they do not.
People should not make assumptions about identity based on appearance,
language, or cultural origin; nor should they make assumptions about an
individual‟s perspective based on his or her identity (James, 1890). Today, the
multiple communities that might be relevant for any individual- including
families, workplace, and social, religious, and political associations- suggest
that individuals are thinking about themselves in more complex ways than was
the norm in years past.
The eligibility criteria that scientists, policy makers, and others develop
for social programs and research projects reflect one way that people perceive a
group of proposed participants‟ actual view of themselves is uncertain.
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 Practitioners of community engagement need to learn how individuals
understand their identity and connections, enter into relationships, and form
communities.

LESSON 4: ELEMENTS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

“A healthy community is one where people have the opportunity to make healthy
choices, in environments that are safe, free from violence, and designed to promote
health. Factors that influence health range from early childhood education to quality
housing and jobs, and other areas of community development such as financial
inclusion, access to health clinics and healthy food, sustainable energy, and
transportation.”

BASIC ELEMENTS OF COMMUNITY

According to Maclver and Page, there are two main bases or essential elements on the
basis of which community is formed.

1. Locality:

Locality implies a particular or territorial area unless a group of people live in a

particular locality; they cannot establish relations and generate the we-feeling among
themselves. Living together facilities people to develop social contacts, give protection,
safety and security. Locality continues to be a basic factor of community life. Maclver
says, though due to the extending facilities of communication in the modern world the
territorial bond has been broken, yet “the basic character of locality as a social
classifier has never been transcended.

2. Community Sentiment:

Community can be formed on the basis of community sentiment. It is extremely

essential. It implies „a feeling of belonging together.” It is a „we-feeling‟ among the
members of a community. People living in a community lead a common life, speak the
same language, conform to the same mores, feel almost the same sentiment and
therefore, they develop a feeling of unity among themselves.

In other words, it can be said that community feeling has the four important aspects
such as we-feeling, interdependence, participation and community control. The
community sentiments are developed by we feeling. The members of community
develop we-feeling by their mutual interdependence. They contribute to the progress of
the community by participating in its activities. Community controls the behavior of
its members. The obedience to community rules brings uniformity among the
members.

Other Elements of Community:

Some other elements of community are as follows:

1. Group of people:

Fundamentally, a community consists of a group of people. A solitary individual

cannot form a community when a group of people share the basic conditions a
common life, they form community.

2. Naturality:

A community is not deliberately or purposively created. It is a spontaneous or natural

growth. An individual is born in a community. It is my virtue of community that he
develops.

3. Permanence:

A community is generally not temporary or short-lived like a crowd or a revolutionary

mob. It is a permanent organisation or durable social group. This durability is evident

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from the age-old communities existing in modern times. A community continues as
long as members are there.

4. Likeness:

In a community there is a likeness or similarity in language, custom, mores, traditions

etc. among the members. So A. W. Green has rightly said, “A community is a cluster of
people living within narrow territorial radius who share a common way of life.”

5. A Particular Name:

Every community is always known with a particular name, their immediate bases of
origin give such community a particular name. For example based on the linguistic
condition people living in Orissa are called Oriyas; living in Kashmiri culture are called
Kashmiris.

6. Spontaneity:

Every community grows itself spontaneously. A community is not deliberately or

purposively created. A kind of natural force acts behind the origin and development of
communities. Various factors like customs, conventions, and religious beliefs bind the
individuals together.

7. Common Life:

Some sociologists like Elwood says that the life of the people in a community is near
about the same. There is no epochal difference between the way of life of the
individuals. Their eating pattern, dressing style, language etc. are found to be similar.
Due to their inhabitation on a particular geographical area, they develop a kind of
emotional and cultural uniformity. Community is never formed with a particular aim.
But they are the outcome of social uniformity among the individuals.

8. Common Interests:

In community, all the members have common and collective interests. People live in
community and work together to fulfill these interests. Thus, Newmeyer says,
community is a group of people living in a delimited geographic area, having common
interests and activities and functioning together in their concern of life.

ELEMENTS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

1. Access to Health Care Coverage

2. Affordable Quality Housing
3. Community Safety
4. Economic Opportunity
5. Educational Opportunity
6. Environmental Quality
7. Food Access
8. Healthy Community Design
9. Park and Recreational Opportunities
10. Social and Cultural Cohesion
11. Social Justice
12. Transportation Options

LESSON 5: FACTORS AFFECTING COMMUNITY HEALTH

 PHYSICAL FACTORS
1. Industrial Development
Communities that are industrially developed are more likely to be
affected by numerous diseases due to the toxic waste products from the
industries that are released into water bodies and the atmosphere and due
to congestion of settlement leading to slum development hence contagious
diseases compared to areas that are not industrially developed.
2. Community Size
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 A densely populated or over populated community can easily be attacked
by communicable diseases.
3. Geographical Location
Some areas are more prone to acquiring diseases due to its geographical
location. Examples are from those places located at forested areas, swampy
areas, etc..
4. Environment
A clean environment is vital to the proper health of a community which
minimizes the occurrence and transmission of diseases, unlike a dirty
environment which leads to outbreak of diseases.

 SOCIAL/CULTURAL FACTORS

1. Social exclusion
People can feel socially excluded for a number of different reasons.
Factors may include poverty, old age, mental ill-health or a physical or learning
disability. This exclusion can have an effect on their health and ability to fulfill
their full potential.
2. Housing
Poor quality housing can have a huge impact on health. It can make
existing health conditions worse, cause injuries and prevent people from
reaching their full potential.
3. Education
Helping young people achieve their potential from an early age, including
getting qualifications plays a vital role in making sure they are healthy in later
life.
4. Employment
Employment plays a big role in health as it provides financial stability,
promotes independence and is known to protect against physical and mental
health problems.
5. Tradition/Beliefs
Traditions and beliefs possessed by the community greatly affects the
people because it is sometimes against science in which medical care depends
on scientific theories.

LESSON 6: EFFECTS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY

Healthy living is often the top priority amongst parents who are looking provide
for their children the best quality of life possible. While it‟s true, health and wellness
principles start inside the home, it‟s important for families that their homes reside
inside healthy communities. One which provides plenty of benefits and opportunity for
all family members to thrive physically and mentally.

A dirty or uninviting environment doesn‟t just cause infections or repulsion, it

also pulls apart your emotional control and mental stability. On the other hand, a
clean environment facilitates a sound health, and helps build about a robust well-
being.

There are two major sides to having a clean environment. One involves
removing dirt and filth while the other has to do with tidiness, having every single item
in their rightful and appropriate places at all times.

Many studies have connected clean environments to a healthy and happy life.
So, despite the increasingly degenerating environmental hazards, for whoever knows
the benefits of a clean environment, creating one becomes a must. A task that must be
accomplished at all costs.

Let‟s see some of the benefits of keeping/living in a clean environment.

1. Infections free life

Unarguably, germs and other harmful microorganisms thrive in filth. And
infections go hand in hand with germs and their kin. But once your environment is

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clean: washed, disinfected and sanitized, you‟re sure of an infection-free living. Which
means in choosing the product to use in aiding cleanliness, you have to be careful.
Make sure you choose one with zero toxic residue.
In the words of Lemi Shine, a better clean starts with a better cleaner. You
know, a good product will eliminate odor causing build-up in home, deodorize the
office or home and remove stains from appliances without eroding their outer
coatings.

2. Increased self-confidence
Satisfaction with your environment automatically boosts your self-confidence.
The truth is it‟s not likely you readily know the source of this extraordinary self-
assurance except you take time to reflect. But you‟ll certainly feel it in you. You‟re sure
you‟ve got it. You know you‟re super confident.
This can be brought about by being in a room with bright light, both natural
and artificial. Besides, this kind of environment can help improve depression and
anxiety.
This means you‟ll always be in the right frame of mind; no depression, no
anxiety.

3. Higher productivity
When your environment is clean, neat and nice, it turns you into a perpetually
happy person. All negative emotions are banished and your creativity kind of get a
rebirth. This translates into solid well-being and invariably tells on your
productivity. Happy people are super productive people.

4. Sense of propriety
A clean environment makes it difficult for people to just leave things lying about
or drop litters. This is not about you alone. It rather positively contagious. Everyone
around you is influenced.
In other words, a clean environment positively impacts your behavior and gives
you reasons and impetus to act on keeping it always clean. And you end up managing
you space better than you can imagine.
You must have noticed it too that people are reluctant to litter or clutter a place
that is clean and neat, whereas they eagerly help a dirty environment degenerate.
Finally, your well-being is a delicate flower of many colors; it deserves your
attention. Keep your environment always clean and tidy, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

1. Define your own Community. Give the characteristics and the classification of it.

2. Is your community considered as Healthy community? Why do you think so?

3. List all the components and elements of your own community.

4. What are the factors affecting your community Health? Enumerate all and briefly
discuss it.

5. Write the effects of a Healthy Community that you observe in your own town.

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