Card game as a health education strategy in the learning of schoolchildren about parasites

Abstract

Parasitic diseases are a serious public health problem, especially in regions such as the Brazilian Northeast, which despite numerous advances in health still have high rates of morbidity, with regard to intestinal parasitic diseases, especially diarrheal diseases. School-age children are the most affected by this condition, either due to lack of knowledge or poor hygiene habits. The school is a relevant place for the application and development of methods focused on the theme, and knowledge for prevention and control is essential. Thus, the card game aims to facilitate students' understanding of the subject. The contributions of the present work will contribute to prevention and will contribute to children's health programs, through the development and use of a playful tool as a health education strategy for schoolchildren in the prevention of parasites. The game consists of cards that contain parasites, morphology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, forms of prevention, among others, being elaborated based on the literature and made in computer programs, being possible to play individually or in groups. The use of playfulness can provide a better understanding, mainly because it involves children, thus generating curiosity about the theme. Health education carried out in dynamic ways provides and requires attention, leaving them more attentive and curious in view of the above. When applied to schoolchildren, the proportion and impact will be much wider, as it is a very diversified environment, where it will be possible to reach children from different areas, places and realities. When developing the game and applying it to children through health education, the subject will be much more accepted, thus making them more knowledgeable about the theme, which will favor in the prevention of parasites and a better quality of life, as well as well as the dissemination of the importance of the subject. Key messages Parasitic diseases do not yet have preventive measures, such as vaccines, and health education is extremely important. The game can bring benefits to public health, in the practice of child health, being used as a form of health education and its dissemination to schools and other learning spaces.