ABSTRACT
The itinerant program "Science on the Road: Education and Citizenship" aims at promoting health by popularizing science, focusing primarily on infectious and parasitic diseases. Initiated in the mobile Laboratory of Parasite Biology, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Bahia, the proposal was transferred to the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, and began to work mainly in Rio de Janeiro. We use a micro-bus, equipped with mobile laboratory, where pathogens are focused on microscopes, video systems, resin-made, models, educational games etc. We use a cinema projector in low-income communities with educational and public health problems, including rural settlements, Maroons/Kilombos etc. After the exhibitions, we debate with the population. We have developed an educational instrument called "giant cell" consisting of an inflatable igloo, where cellular organelles/structures are represented as well as projected images of functioning cells, including 3D features. We developed didactic (non-formal) materials, resin or rubber models of pathogens and vectors, as well as vectors embedded in transparent resin to approach endemic diseases of great medical importance in Brazil. We elaborated Makets of houses and terrains representing mosquito breeding grounds (with live larvae), among other insects, venomous animals, rats etc. The use of these materials is always accompanied by discussions about prophylaxis with community engagement. (AU)
O programa itinerante "Ciência na Estrada: educação e cidadania" visa a promoção à saúde pela popularização de ciências enfocando, principalmente, as doenças infecto-parasitárias. Iniciada no Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Bahia, a proposta foi transferida para o Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, passando a atuar, principalmente, no Rio de Janeiro. Utilizamos um micro-ônibus, equipado com laboratório-volante, onde são enfocados patógenos em microscópios, modelos em resina, sistemas de vídeo, jogos educativos etc. Utilizamos um projetor de cinema em comunidades de baixa renda com problemas educacionais e de saúde pública, incluindo assentamentos rurais, quilombos etc. Após as exibições são realizados debates com a população. Desenvolvemos um instrumento educativo denominado "célula gigante" constituído por um iglu inflável, onde são representadas organelas/estruturas celulares bem como projetadas imagens de células em funcionamento, inclusive com recursos 3D. Elaboramos materiais didáticos (não-formais), desenvolvemos modelos em resina ou borracha de patógenos e vetores, bem como de vetores incrustados em resina transparente para abordar doenças endêmicas de grande importância médica no Brasil. Elaboramos maquetes de casas e terrenos representando os criadouros de mosquitos (eventualmente com larvas vivas), entre outros insetos, animais peçonhentos, ratos etc. A utilização destes materiais é sempre acompanhada de discussões sobre profilaxia com engajamento comunitário. (AU)
El programa itinerante "Ciencia en la Carretera: educación y ciudadanía" busca promoción a la salud por la popularización de ciencias enfocando, principalmente, las enfermedades infecto-parasitarias. Criada en el laboratorio de Biología Parasitaria, Fundación Oswaldo Cruz, Bahia, la propuesta fue transferida al Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, pasando a actuar principalmente en Río de Janeiro. Utilizamos un microbús, equipado con laboratorio, donde se enfocan patógenos en microscopios, sistemas de video, juegos educativos etc. Utilizamos un proyector de cine en comunidades de bajos ingresos con problemas educativos y de salud pública, incluyendo asentamientos rurales, quilombos etc. Después de las exhibiciones se realizan debates con la población. Desarrollamos un instrumento educativo denominado "célula gigante" constituido por un iglu inflable, donde se representan organelas/estructuras celulares así como proyectadas imágenes de células en funcionamiento, incluso con recursos 3D. Elaboramos materiales didácticos (no formales), desarrollamos modelos en resina o caucho de patógenos y vectores, y de vectores incrustados en resina transparente para abordar endémicas enfermedades de gran importancia médica en Brasil. Elaboramos maquetas de casas y terrenos representados los criaderos de mosquitos (con larvas vivas), entre otros insectos, animales venenosos, ratas, etc. La utilización de estos materiales siempre va acompañada de discusiones sobre profilaxis con compromiso comunitario. (AU)
Subject(s)
Health , Education , Citizenship , LaboratoriesABSTRACT
Parasitic diseases hamper progress in underdeveloped nations, compromising child physical and cognitive development. In order to control intestinal parasites, the popularization of science may enable prophylactic measures. Questionnaires were used to assess the students' knowledge, attitudes and practices. Health fairs were held as an educational tool and subsequently questionnaires on parasitic diseases and prevention were administered. Stool examinations were performed and infected students were treated. Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura was 7.1%, 5% and 3.5% respectively in the Anísio Teixeira Institute students and 7.2%, 8%, 3.6% in the Raymundo Matta School students in a suburb. The students at both schools displayed limited knowledge on parasitic disease prevention. The school participation in the prophylaxis of parasitic diseases, was not acknowledged by the students. Reviewing curricula is required, addressing themes related to health, possibly establishing partnerships with health services, universities and/or research centers with the effective involvement of the community performing articulated actions in different health districts, so that education will lead to community empowerment in regard to quotidian issues and improving public health conditions.