Playful methods in the prevention of schistosomiasis in schoolchildren in Bahia

Intestinal parasites are still neglected in a large part of Brazil. In Bahia, schistosomiasis mansoni is still a public health problem. In children, this parasitosis has an impact on nutrition, intellectual and somatic development. Playful activities can help the teaching-learning process and are pleasurable, interesting and challenging. This work began in the municipality of Jequié-BA and after the year 2015 in Vitória da Conquista-BA, with the aim of teaching the prevention of intestinal parasitosis with emphasis on schistosomiasis in public schools. These schools were chosen for this study because they are in an area that combines a series of risk factors, determinants of many parasitic diseases, with a low-income clientele. The target audience were students aged between 6 and 11 years, enrolled in the 1st and 2nd grade classes. To achieve the goal, a questionnaire was used and, based on its analysis dynamics and education workshops were started that allowed the effective and participatory interaction of the students. For the presentations of the specific’s topics, a series of pedagogical activities were used, such as: reading of children's books on the themes of schistosomiasis, taeniasis, pediculosis and others, theatrical presentations on schistosomiasis, educational film, songs, games, and other playful resources so that the preventions measures were assimilated by the schoolchildren. Meetings were held with the children's parents at the public schools to offer coprological examination. The stool samples analysis was performed in the laboratory of the “Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia” - UESB, by the methods of spontaneous sedimentation and centrifugal flotation in 35% zinc sulfate. Playful evaluative activities were applied, and most of schoolchildren showed interest and learning about the prophylaxis of the worked parasites. The expected results, which can be summarized in the expectation that students will learn simple ways of prevention, with the intention of improving their health status, were achieved through low-cost and effective methods, but sensitive to the next generation. This work is taking knowledge, clarification and awareness about the intestinal parasites, providing the realization of stool exams and referral of the parasitized schoolchildren for the specific treatment.