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Dental health teaching was performed by the Health Education
Officer and a dental auxiliary in 18 Primary Schools.
Many more schools requested visits of this nature but the shortage
of staff available for this purpose was the regrettable reason for
having to refuse these requests.
Every assistance was given to teachers requiring advice and information
to enable them to include aspects of health education in their
own teaching programmes and also by the loan of a considerable
variety of audio-visual aids. The facilities offered by the Health Education
Section have been widely used and seem much appreciated.
Young Wives Groups
These groups meet at clinics in various parts of the Borough,
some during the afternoons where play and minding facilities are
organised for the children, and others in the evenings. A programme
with widely varied interests is arranged for each group by the Health
Education staff. These sessions are usually well attended and the
benefits derived are quite considerable and as wide as the variety of
topics covered, although they may perhaps be less obvious to the
undiscerning.
Youth Clubs
The claim on the Health Education Service has increased from
Youth Clubs during this past year and the old adage 'They know it
all' has been seen to be very wrong. The attendance at one Youth
Club doubled on the nights that subjects such as contraception and
sexually transmitted diseases were to be discussed and it has since
been reported that the attitudes of many of the young people noticeably
changed and developed a more responsible note. It may be of
interest to know that these sessions were requested by the young
people attending the club and were not merely the ideas of the leaders.
There is enormous scope for advancement in this field where
people evidently have the desire to learn and are not merely a captive
audience.
Several courses in child care were organised by the Health Education
Officer and carried out by health visitors. Both bronze and silver
awards were obtained by girls taking these courses.
Training
The Health Education Officer, in addition to her other work,
carried out lectures at a Teacher Training College and at a Midwife
Teacher Training College. It is felt that whilst all aspects of her work
are important, teaching these students who are to be responsible for
extending the education of the next generation has an importance all
its own.
Assisting with the training of student nurses and midwives
during the period of their attachment to the community nursing services
is another of the Health Education Officer's functions, to which
considerable importance should be attached, for among these young
women we may hope to find future health education staff. In any
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