LESSON 4: HEALTH APPRAISED AND.....

AMAZED

Targets:

1. Explain the importance of health appraisal procedures during adolescence in

order to achieve holistic health
2. Avail of health services in the school and community to appraise one’s
health

Something to Ponder On

Health Appraisal and Screening Procedures

When you were a child, your parents, older siblings, relatives, and other
concerned adults made sure you ate the right food and had regular medical checkups,
immunizations, and other health care.

Now that you are already an adolescent, your personal health becomes your
responsibility also. One way to do this is to know your health status so that you can take
the necessary actions to improve your health habits and practices. In case there is a sign
of a medical problem, early detection can help to prevent this from becoming serious
that would need appropriate treatment.

Monitoring health status can be done through regular health checkups and
screening tests appropriate for you. It is very important to know your health status. For
school age children and adolescents, the school health personnel, such as the school
physician, school nurse, school dentist, as well as teachers and other school personnel
perform checkups and screening tests at the beginning and towards the end of the
school year. This is part of the school health service provided for students. Screening for
blood pressure is added to the routine tests for height, weight, vision, and hearing.
Immunizations are also updated.

Adolescents who are experiencing growth spurts may also be screened for
possible scoliosis. Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine, which causes pain
and affects growth. Additional tests may be recommended by your physician or health
care provider as needed.

Evaluation of the results of checkups and screening tests is done by the school
health personnel. Students who may need health counselling, referral, and follow up will
be identified and guided for proper action.
 As an adolescent, you should always remember that you are also responsible for
your own health. Monitor your body for changes that may need medical checkup. This is
often referred to as part of self- care. For girls, it is recommended to check your breasts
for possible masses or lumps the moment you start menstruating. You should do this
monthly, specifically one week after the onset of menstruation. You can do this while
taking a shower or facing the mirror. This breast self-examination (BSE) can help females
check any abnormalities that might need medical help. Remember, there are normal
changes during and right before menstruation so it is better to perform BSE after
menstruation. Develop the habit of doing BSE monthly.

Scoliosis Screening

Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine curves to the side. It is an abnormal

lateral or side-to-side curvature of the spine. This condition commonly develops during
growth spurt of adolescents. It affects girls more often. This condition can be corrected
if treated early before the bones have fully developed.
 The following signs should be referred to a doctor for treatment.

 One of the shoulder blades is more prominent.

 The head is not aligned to the center of the pelvis.
 A hip appears higher or is more prominent than the other.
 The rib cage is uneven.
 The waist is uneven.
 The entire body is leaning to one side.

In the school, your school nurse or your health teacher can do the scoliosis
screening test. During the test, the school nurse will observe your posture for signs of
scoliosis. Early detection can prevent scoliosis from progressing.

Screening Procedure

Forward Bend Test:

1. Stand facing away from the screener.

2. Bend forward at the waist 90 degrees, feet 10 cm apart, knees
straight, and feet parallel to each other.
3. Palms of the hands are facing each other and arms hang down, and are
relaxed. The head is down.

It is normal if the screener observes the following:

 Both sides of upper and lower back are symmetrical.
 Hips level and symmetrical.

There is possible scoliosis if the screener observes the following:

  One side of rib cage and/or the lower back showing uneven symmetry.
 Curve in the alignment of the spine.

It is very important that you are aware of any change in your body. Any deviation
from the normal must be reported to your parents so that you can seek medical advice.
You can go to your school clinic to seek advice from the health personnel there. Your
teachers can also help you. Don’t wait for your health problem to get worse. You have
to act now.

Remember that the school health personnel, so with your barangay health
personnel, are there to help maintain the health of the students/people in the school or
community. Avail of any health service they offer.
Organize What You Know

The graphic organizer below shows the importance of health appraisal/screening test in
attaining holistic health. Draw an arrow connecting the screening test to its importance.
Keeps you
informed about
Medical your general
exam health status.

Dental exam Keeps you

Holistic
informed of any
health can
Height taking dental problems
be achieved
by practicing Gives you an idea
Screening
good health Weight about your
tests
habits and taking growth rate
submitting Vision test
to screening Keeps you aware
tests. if you are within
Scoliosis test your ideal weight

Keeps you
Breast-Self
informed of your
examination
visual acuity

Keeps you
informed of any
abnormal
curvature of your
spine

Checks unusual
lumps
 Activity 2: My Health Screening Contract

Now, do you realize the importance of submitting to a screening test? A Health

Screening Contract will remind you to go for screening. Here is an example of a Health
Contract.

My Health Screening Contract

Name:____________________________________ Date:

I promise that___________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

I plan to_______________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Witness:

_________________________

Print Name and sign above

Put your name and then make a promise to yourself to submit to a
screening test to monitor your health status. You may want to have your parents
witness your contract to help remind you of your promise.
Make your own Health Screening Contract similar to the one above. You
may want to write it on another material or paper other than your notebook.
Activity 3: My Health Plan of Action

 Prepare your health plan of action based on the results of your screening
test, health habits/practices daily log, health dimension checklist.
 Write what you will do to change the habit/practice in any dimension
you want to improve or what you will do to maintain it.
 An example is given to guide you.

Dimension I want to What I want to What I will do to

improve or maintain change, improve, or improve/maintain the
maintain habit/practice
I will avoid eating too
Physical health Gaining too much much.
weight I will eat a balanced diet.
I will exercise regularly.

 Act on the plan that you have prepared.

 Observe the effects on your health of implementing the plan of action for
one month.
 Have a log book to note down the effects of your plan of action.
 Submit this at the end of the month.
 Note the positive effect on your health or the negative effect if there’s
any.
  Make some revisions in your plan, if necessary.
 Your plan will be assessed using the rubrics below.

Level of achievement Description

Outstanding 4 Plan of activities is attainable and health-oriented;

procedure is easily implemented to reach the goal.
Very satisfactory 3 Plan of activities and processes are positive,
realistic, and somewhat health-oriented.
Satisfactory 2 Some plans and processes are positive and realistic;
little health value is seen.
Fair 1 Plan of activities is not focused and is unrealistic for
present level abilities or development.
Needs improvement 0 No plan of action is mentioned
SCORE

Sum Up
Express Your Understanding
 Complete the following statements:
- I firmly believe that health__________________________
- To attain holistic health, I must______________________
- A healthy person lives ____________________________

 Write your answer to the following questions based on your

understanding of the lesson. Put these in your notebook or journal log.

1. What might happen if you will not monitor your health

status?
2. What do your health dimension assessment and your
screening test results reveal about your health?
3. How can you use these data in attaining good health?
4. How do you know that you have a health dimensions?
5. What are your strengths and weaknesses as far as health
screening is concerned?