The Purpose and Importance of Social Diagnosis
Within the context of PROCEDE, we define social diagnosis (also called social need assessment or social reconnaissance) as the process of determining people`s perceptions of their own needs or quality of life, and their aspirations for the common good, through broad participation and the application of multiple information-gathering activities designed to expand understanding of the community. Several important assumptions implicit in this definition can be highlighted by elaborating on the specific terms in it.
The reference to multiple information-gathering activities highlights the fact that a useful social diagnosis is likely tp require indicators and data from several sources. The published literature on quality of life and social indicators is extensive and growing. Most scholars in those areas urge the use of multiple measures.
Community participation (or broad participation if the client system is other than a geographic community) is a foundation concept in social diagnosis and has long been a basic principle for health education and community development, though too often neglected in practice. The notion of expanded understanding refers to a hightened awareness of the community`s social, economic, cultural, and environmental concerns and goals. Thenew awareness benefits not only the health workers and volunteers, but also the other sectors whose cooperation is needed in health promotion and the people who will be affected by the program. All parties have something to learn. Maintaining this emphasis minimizes a we/they mentality and helps nurture an us relationship.
One of the goals of health promotion programs is healthful living patterns and conditions that last. The behavioral and environmental changes induced by the program should have staying power. Programs conceived and developed apart from the spirit and day-to-day workings of a community are, by definition, outside that community. In such cases, when the initial resources dry up or the intervention period comes to an end, the program is not only over, it is gone! A program that never becomes a real part of the community generates no sense of community ownership and so has little or no chance of becoming a permanent part of the community fabric. To obtain a lasting effect, to achieve a positive shift in a community`s health norms, genuine community participation and commitment are essential.
One of the goals of health promotion programs is healthful living patterns and conditions that last. The behavioral and environmental changes induced by the program should have staying power. Programs conceived and developed apart from the spirit and day-to-day workings of a community are, by definition, outside that community. In such cases, when the initial resources dry up or the intervention period comes to an end, the program is not only over, it is gone! A program that never becomes a real part of the community generates no sense of community ownership and so has little or no chance of becoming a permanent part of the community fabric. To obtain a lasting effect, to achieve a positive shift in a community`s health norms, genuine community participation and commitment are essential.
References :
R. A. Bauer, ed., Social Indicators, Cambridge, MA : MIT Press, 1996.
B. Checkoway, “ Community Participation for Health Promotion : Prescription for Public Policy?” Wellness Perspectives : Research, Theory and Practice 6, 1989.
L. W. Green, M. W. Kreuter, Health Promotion Planning An Educational and Environmental Approach, Mayfield Publishing Company, Mountain View, California, 1991.
