Notes: Community Health Nursing Data Collection and Assessment Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from the provided pages on population groups, data collection methods, and community health assessment.

Population

Refers to the general public or society or a collection of communities; generally do not display social action among its members.

Aggregates

Groups defined by common characteristics and concerns but may not interact or work together to address these concerns; considered at high risk for certain health conditions.

Neighborhood

More homogeneous due to a common language or cultural tradition but may not have specific physical or geographic boundaries.

Community

A collection of people, a place, and a social system.

Community Assessment

A process of becoming acquainted with a community; first part of the community diagnostic process and considered a keystone of the community health nursing process.

Community Health Assessment

A systematic examination of the health status indicators for a given population used to identify key problems and assets in a community.

Community Diagnosis

Identification and quantification of health problems in a community as a whole in terms of mortality and morbidity rates and ratios, and identification of their correlates for defining those at risk or in need of care.

Comprehensive Community Diagnosis

Obtains general information about the community including prevalent health conditions, socio-economic conditions, and lifestyle behaviors affecting health.

Problem-Oriented Community Diagnosis

Responds to a particular need of a target group.

Primary Data

Data directly obtained by the nurse to answer community diagnosis objectives.

Secondary Data

Existing data obtained by others, used to answer community diagnosis objectives.

Observation

Extracting information by observing behavior and environment, useful when informants can’t directly or accurately provide information.

Ocular Survey / Windshield Survey

A rapid appraisal through observation.

Participant Observation

Observer lives and integrates with the community being studied.

Record Review

Gathering data by reviewing records from health or non-health agencies.

Interview

Most common method of data collection involving systematic asking and answering of questions.

Structured Interview

Follows a list of questions (interview schedule) serving as the script.

Unstructured Interview

Collects qualitative data on opinions or perceptions without a fixed set of questions.

Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

Qualitative research technique for understanding and documenting human behavior through guided group discussions.

Key Informant Interview

Directed questions to knowledgeable individuals about specific community issues.

Observation Checklist

List of data indicating a health need or problem, including hazards or health resources.

Data Collation

Organizing collected data into numerical (countable) or descriptive (observable characteristics) forms.

Data Analysis

Quantification, description, and classification of data; most critical stage.

Health Status Problems

Increased or decreased morbidity, mortality, fertility, or reduced capability for wellness.

Health Resources Problems

Lack or absence of manpower, money, materials, or institutions necessary to solve health problems.

Health-Related Problems

Existence of social, economic, environmental, or political factors that aggravate illness-inducing situations in the community.

Priority Setting Criteria

Nature of the problem, magnitude, modifiability, preventive potential, and social concern.