Integrated Health Promotion Centre

Expecting a child? The primary health care centre warmly invites you and the future father to attend the revised and updated Preparation for childbirth and parenthood programme (former School for Future Parents).

The programme consists of one session in early pregnancy followed by six sessions throughout the pregnancy. You will learn a lot about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and the postnatal period, and also acquire new skills and prepare yourself well for the coming childbirth and your newborn.

The programme topics include: the course of pregnancy and childbirth; the physical and mental health of pregnant women, and new mothers and fathers (i.e. new families); healthy and safe  for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers; physical activity during pregnancy; lactation, breastfeeding and transition to solid foods; the development of newborns and infants and their needs; cooperating with your baby; equipment and accessories; a child’s day; childbirth and postnatal period for women; various safety aspects; available health care services; partner relationship; and others.

The titles of sessions indicate the main theme: Early pregnancy, Continuation of pregnancy, Childbirth I, Childbirth II, Postnatal period and breastfeeding, Baby, Mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth, and Partner relationship and communication. Every session lasts 120 minutes and the first session (Early pregnancy) is followed by an additional hour with a physiotherapist.

Special attention is given to vulnerable groups and the reduction of inequalities. The programme includes up-to-date content and offers free access to useful material for professionals and future parents.

The updated content and modern approach to the implementation of the Preparation for childbirth and parenthood programme ensure that future parents have access to high-quality and verified information and skills, which leads to better health of pregnant women, babies and the entire new family.

Healthy pregnant women are also invited to join the programme of weekly exercise during pregnancy led by professional instructors.

Health education appropriate for children’s development is provided at various levels, in various environments and for various target groups. It can be provided in healthcare or educational institutions, as well as in local communities, i.e. anywhere children and adolescents live, socialise, play or learn. The purpose of cooperation between a school and healthcare professionals is to improve communication with a view to promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing adverse impacts on the health of schoolchildren. Professionals in health promotion centres regularly cooperate with preschool institutions and primary and secondary schools. They provide lectures, workshops and discussions on various topics of health and healthy lifestyle for preschool children, primary and secondary school children, as well as their parents and teachers. The content covers healthy nutrition and physical activity, mental health, good interpersonal relations, various types of addiction, growing up, sex education, care for oral health, healthy posture, personal hygiene, injury prevention, breast and testicle self-exams and other topics. Before carrying out an activity, the providers discuss with the representatives of the preschool institution or school the scope of the programme, content and the manner of cooperation for each school year.

Unhealthy lifestyle is often related to obesity and reduced physical capacity in children and adolescents. Other cardiovascular disease risk factors also start to occur. The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is a serious public-health problem, globally as well as in Slovenia. Long-term positive effects on health can be achieved by directing people towards healthy life habits. It is particularly important that all family members adopt a healthy lifestyle. Parents can do a lot for the health of their children in the early childhood and also later. Active involvement of the entire family and care for healthy food, enough exercise and sleep and risk-free use of electronic devices is crucial to effecting a change.

“Family care for reducing risks due to obesity and reduced physical capacity” is carried out in IHPCs in cooperation with paediatricians. The care consists of evidence-based elements and is based on the cooperation of the entire family with the school’s health education and prevention team. Effective care is provided to children/adolescents and their parents.

The professionals in IHPCs also work with adolescents who for various reasons leave the school environment or abandon schooling. They can join the programme of project learning for young adults. The providers of the programme prepare for them various contents and workshops on sex education, mental health, healthy nutrition and physical activity.

Oral health is an indispensable part of general health and significantly contributes to the better quality of life. Maintaining the health of teeth and the mouth is closely connected to oral hygiene, healthy nutrition, avoiding bad habits and regular visits to a dentist. Professionals in IHPCs carry out many promotional and preventive activities related to oral health for various target groups. They start by participating in the Preparation for childbirth and parenthood programme and continue by working with preschool children and children in primary and secondary schools. As in health education, the providers of oral health programmes closely cooperate with educational institutions. Before carrying out an activity, the providers discuss with the representatives of the preschool institution or school the scope of the programme, the content and the manner of cooperation for each school year.

Do you wish to change your health-related life habits? Maybe you just need encouragement to make the first step towards change?

The health promotion programme is available to adults from 19 years of age. The programme includes health promotion workshops and individual counselling on healthy nutrition, health-enhancing physical activities, healthy weight loss, enhancing mental health, life with diabetes and quitting smoking. Workshop participants receive information and support and acquire skills for long-term changes in life habits that will lead to better health and well-being.

Group workshops and individual counselling are carried out at the premises of primary healthcare centres and, if the relevant health promotion centre agrees, at other locations in the local community (e.g. workplace, local community premises, fire station and the premises of NGOs).

For some workshops and individual counselling a person is required to undergo a preventive health check-up with their physician or a registered nurse at a family medicine practice, before signing up. Contact a registred nurse at the IHPC for more information on signing up for workshops or individual counselling.

Participation in the Health promotion programme is free of charge for persons with compulsory health insurance coverage.

The IHPC staff in local communities carry out various health promotion activities:

• workshops, lectures and presentations related to health promotion (activities marking World Health Days, short preventive care activities, measurements and counselling, etc.).
• presentations to encourage target populations to participate in preventive care programmes and national screening programmes for the early detection of cancer (Dora, Zora and Svit).
• Open doors for health at the locations of various partners in the local community (informing and encouraging vulnerable persons to participate in preventive care programmes and take care of their health), and
• motivational workshops for vulnerable individuals or groups.

In their strategies, primary healthcare centres plan the inclusion of vulnerable groups in preventive activities within the centres and in local communities.