Community nursing. Towards primary health care.

Community health practice in vari­ ous forms has been recorded for over 5 000 years (Anderson, 1969). The ancient Egyptians developed a community system for water supply and sewage disposal. The Hebrews focused on the promotion of health through the Mosaic code which regulated personal hygiene, food, sanitation, maternal health, and more. The Greeks (500-100 BC) emphasised values of personal hy­ giene and exercise. The Romans (100 BC 500 AD ), on the other hand, were concerned with the State rather that the individual and set public health measures in rela­ tion to building regulations, water supply and community sanitation.