Question

Explain how 2 determinants of health influence hygiene practices.

Answer 1

According to WHO, Health is a state of complete physical,mental and social well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity.Positive  Health means absolute functioning of body nd mind.

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Health is multifactorial.These factors influences the health of the individual.The genetic factors and environmental factors have major role in the health condition of an individual.These factors interact and these interactions may be influence positively or negatively.

The important variables or determinants of health are

1.Biological determinants

2.Environmental determinants

3.Socio economic conditions

4.Healthservices

5.Gender

6.Age of the population

1.Biological determinants

The physical and mental traits of every individual is determined by genes.The genetic make up cannot be altered after the conception.Genetic factors remains same fro childhood till adulthood.The diseases are with genetic origin are chromosomal anomalies, metabolism errors, mental retardation etc.

Personal hygiene habits are acquired during childhood and are influenced by one's family.Many diseases are occurs due to poor personal hygiene.Good personal hygiene measures are realted to less illness.Lack of skin care leads to bad odour as well as many skin problems such as scabies, head lice, pubic lice etc.Poor dental care causes halitosis and dental problems like plaque formation, dental caries etc. Even the dental problems causes the major health problems like heart diseases. Lack of hand hygiene allows the germs to enter in the body and causes stomach upsets.

Building good personal hygiene practices helps to maintain a healthy physical and mental life. So it has to be practiced from childood days.

2.Environmental determinants

Environmental determinants includes internal and external environment.Internal environment(inside body) means tissues, organs and the harmonious functioning of these organs within the body.External environment (outside body) may be physical, biological and psychosocial components which can affect the health of an individual.External environment is also called macro or domestic environment .The main factors involved in domestic environment are personal habits (smokind and drinking)and  life style .Smokers develop more tartar in the teeth and this can cause for the gum diseases.Chemicals which presnts in the cigarette cause more saliva production and this allows more bacteria to enter in the mouth and gums.

Life syle factors and nutrion are considered as the modifiable determinats of health.Healthy life style parctices(regular exercise) has positive influence on health.Personal hygiene is important to prevent food posioning. Food handlers should properly follow the personal hygiene in order to prevent the contamination of food.While handling the food perform the hand washing properly.So Life syle factors and nutrion are considered as the modifiable determinats of health.Good personal hygience practices ensures less illness or good health.