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36
Family Planning
Opportunities for education on family planning have been found,
tested and established. During ante-natal classes mothers were asked
whether they would like this information and whether they would like the
discussion at the end of the evening when their husbands attend. Their
acceptance and appreciation of this offer has been most rewarding.
The subject has been included in the majority of toddlers' clinic
programmes and has also been added to the printed list of local government
talks issued to the public. Short, informal inservice training sessions
have also been given to members of the staff and it is hoped to extend
these to other departments during 1967.
Smoking and Health
Education by the staff about smoking and health hazards has been
infrequently and reluctantly undertaken for some time. A small survey
(191 questionnaires) was carried out in an attempt to discover attitudes
towards this public health problem (see Appendix.)
57.5% of the questionnaires were returned. Of these 7.3% did not
believe the facts associating cigarette smoking with lung cancer.
31.2% did not believe it is possible to change smoking habits by
any form of education.
51.4% did not accept a personal responsibility for promoting a * nonsmoking"
trend and
40.3% felt smoking and health education was hampered by insufficient
inservice training.
This latter observation will be a guide in the choice of inservice
training subjects for 1967.
Home Safety
General work continued steadily in clubs, clinics and schools.
"Medicines with Care" was the main theme of the year and the subject
of the home safety stand at the Ashburton Flower Show.
It was also the theme of an exhibition held in conjunction with the
Croydon Pharmacists in the Sun Lounge of the Fairfield Hall. This
combined effort was most enjoyable and was seen by over 2,000 people.
We are most grateful to the management of the Fairifeld Halls for the
loan of the Sun Lounge and for all the help received from members of the
staff.