Undergraduate students’ involvement in an integrated program to improve life conditions in communities

Abstract

This project was developed as a partnership between the local university and the community. Its overall objective was to include undergraduates as participants in a survey of the main health concerns of families residing near the Associação Kairós, Maringá, state of Paraná, Brazil. Furthermore the undergraduates were called upon to offer solutions to the problems detected. Ten families were selected for the study and the following topics were chosen for clarification: diseases communicable parasitologic; dengue fever; first aid; prevention of cancer, diabetes and hypertension; medicinal plants, nutrition, breastfeeding and alternative nutrition. The topics were presented to the families through minicourses for adults and street fairs and sports contests for children. Parasitologic examinations of feces were performed on all family members who then received specific treatment and information regarding parasites. Study evaluation entailed post-treatment, parasitologic exams and prearranged activities to determine knowledge acquisition. A drop in parasite prevalence and improvement in hygiene were seen.