Pedagogic intervention in health education. Developed with the kaingang indigenous group of Ivaí and Faxinal (state of Paraná)

Abstract

The present work exposes experiences of pedagogic interventions in Health Education, developed with the Kaingang indigenous group of Ivaí and Faxinal in Paraná, from the results of studies in the area of health and environment, accomplished between 2004 and 2007 by researchers of the Interdisciplinary Program of Population Studies, Laboratory of Archeology, Ethnology and Ethno-history of the State University of Maringá. The research and the pedagogic interventions made the elaboration and publication of bilingual pedagogic material possible: Eg hárh ke to venhkarhrán (Health Education) and Ga Jãnhkri (Clean Earth) had support the from National Fund for the Environment and the National Health Foundation. The methodology used was based on the elaboration of work projects that enabled wide participation from teachers and students of the existent educational institutions in the Indigenous Lands. After the publication and popularization of the pedagogic material, a course was organized for the formation of teachers and health agents. These interventions had as objective the popularization of information disclosure of the diagnoses and formulation of collective actions for control of existing parasitic diseases among these populations, seeking the improvement of the environmental and health conditions and the areas. The studies and interventions were developed with the communities (family groups, leaderships, Indian teachers and non-Indians, research assistants and students) seeking the learning improvement of the indigenous students and the development of health practices accessible to the community.