PROMOTING COMMUNITY HEALTH AWARENESS SCREENING CAMP: A CASE STUDY FROM GOVERNMENT DEGREE COLLEGE (A), NAGARI

The integration of community-oriented activities into undergraduate curricula has emerged as a vital strategy for fostering experiential learning and social responsibility among students. This case study examines a student-led Health Screening Camp organized by the Zoology Department at Government Degree College (Autonomous), Nagari, on August 22, 2025. Involving students the camp bridged laboratory skills with real-world application by conducting basic health assessments, including hemoglobin testing, blood pressure monitoring, heart rate evaluation, blood group determination, and BMI calculation for 200 community participants. Key findings revealed concerning trends, such as anemia in 35% of participants, hypertension in 25%, and underweight status (BMI <18.5) in 49% (98/200), particularly among adolescents and young adults, underscoring prevalent health risks in rural Andhra Pradesh. The initiative not only promoted community health awareness—evidenced by post-camp surveys showing a 40% increase in participants' knowledge of preventive measures—but also enhanced students' practical skills, confidence, and commitment to public service. These outcomes highlight the potential of student-led camps as scalable models for sustainable health education in underserved areas.