Other Program Locations

Dominican Republic

Established: 1998
Workshops: 21
Follow-up Workshops: 5
Projects: 380

PSBH Workshops: 18 (including follow-up workshops)
PSBH Follow-up Workshops:
PSBH Workshop Participants: 335
PSBH Projects: 262

PSBHI Workshops: 2
PSBHI Follow-up Workshops: 3
PSBHI Workshop Participants: 67
PSBHI Projects: 67

PSBHN Workshops: 1
PSBHN Follow-up Workshops: 2
PSBHN Workshop Participants: 58
PSBHN Projects: 51

Contact Information:
National Coordinator - PSBH
Adelaida Oreste
Tel: (1-809) 5347038
Fax: (1-809) 5346433
Email: adelacisade@hotmail.com

Report of "Best Practices" in Latin America (Portuguese and Spanish)

The Problem Solving for Better Health^® (PSBH^®) program was launched in February 1999 in collaboration with the Human Resources Division of the Ministry of Health. A local non-governmental organization, CISADE (Centro Integral de Salud y Desarollo- Integral Health and Development Center), coordinates the program in collaboration with DHF. Workshop participants have included university representatives, Ministry of Health workers, ministers from evangelical and Catholic churches, associations of health professionals, representatives from communities displaced by Hurricane George in 1998, community leaders, and nursing professionals.

The goal of the program is to contribute to better health conditions and quality of life by promoting and supporting solutions to community problems through the coordinated efforts of different sectors and social activists within the community. This includes improving health education in schools; constructing wells, networks for potable water, and latrines; community orientation and mobilization for environmental drainage; education; preparation for childbirth; prevention of cervical and breast cancer, prevention of teenage pregnancies; oral health; mental health and self-esteem; and vocational training.

The first Problem Solving for Better Health Initiative™ (PSBHI™) workshop was held in San Cristobal in April, 2001. The local committee is made up of 15 social, cultural, and religious community organizations. The objective of PSBHI is to contribute to the community’s development at the local level through multisectoral efforts by which the community can identify and execute alternative solutions to problems affecting the lives and health of its inhabitants.

Accomplishments include the increased level of participation in the process of identifying and solving problems; and the increased capacity of grassroots organizations to negotiate with institutions, government authorities, and international organizations for support.

The objective of Problem Solving for Better Health – Nursing (PSBHN™ ) is to increase the participation of nurses to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities, while at the same time increasing the personal and professional development of nurses.

Affiliations:
Asociacion Dominicana de Enfermeras Graduadas, ADEG (Dominican
      Association of Graduate Nurses)
Instituto de Capacitacion de Enfermeria y Accion Comunitaria,
       ICAISACOM (Institute of Vocational Training for Nursing and
      Community Action)
Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo, UASD (School of Nursing
      at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo)
Universidad Catolica de Santo Domingo, UCSD (School of Nursing at the
      Catholic University of Santo Domingo)

Country: Dominican Republic
City: Santo Domingo

Health and Social Areas Addressed:

Communicable/Infectious Diseases:
Gastrointestinal Diseases
HIV/AIDS
Malaria
Parasitic Diseases
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs/STIs)
Skin Diseases
Tuberculosis
Other Communicable Diseases
Demographic Groups:
Adolescents/Teen Health
Children's Health
Elder Health
Men's Health
Women's Health
Economic Issues:
Employment/Job
Skills/Training
Income Generation
Occupational Health/Work Safety
Resources (human, equipment, funding)
Transportation (V- Economic)
Other Economic Issues
Environmental Health:
Air Pollution
Animal/Insect/Pest Control
Waste Management
Water Supply/Quality
Other Environmental Issues
Health Care & Policy Issues:
Access to Health Facilities/Services
Aging/Elder Care
Bioethics
Children's Health/Child Care
Clinics/Clinic Administration
Curative Medicine/Surgery
Health Care Workers
Health Equality/Inequality
Health Promotion/Lifestyles
Hospitals/Hospital Administration
Injury/Trauma/Safety
Nurses (including students)
Physicians (including students)
&Other Health Care & Policy Issues
Health Promotion/Lifestyles:
Dental/Oral Health
Diet/Exercise/Fitness
Hygiene
Nutrition/Malnutrition
Obesity
Smoking
Substance Abuse
Vaccination
Vitamin Intake
Other Health Promotion/Lifestyle Issues
Mental Health:
Psychological/Psychiatric Disorders
Stress
Thought, Mood & Behavior Disorders
Other Mental Health Issues
Noncommunicable Diseases:
Allergies
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disorders
Diabetes
Endocrine Disorders
Foot Disorders/Foot Care
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Genitourinary Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Neurological Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Skin Disorders
Other Noncommunicable Diseases
Nutrition:
Dietary Habits
Food Safety
Health Promotion/Lifestyles
Obesity
Other Nutrition Issues
Sensory Function:
Hearing
Nasal Function
Vision
Other Sensory Function Issues
Social Issues/Services:
Community Organization
Crime
Cultural Beliefs/Perceptions
Domestic Abuse/Violence
Education/Skill Building
Family Structure/Function
Interpersonal Relationships
Politics
Quality of Life Issues
Religious Beliefs/Customs
Other Social Issues
Women's Health/Reproductive Health:
Family Planning
Teenage Pregnancy
Prenatal/Postnatal Care
Other Reproductive Health Issues