BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTION: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT ON HEALTH EDUCATION REGARDING ARBOVIRUSES AND VIRAL HEPATITIS IN A QUILOMBOLA COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWESTERN BAHIA

Abstract

This article reports on the experience of medical students conducting an outreach project aimed at health promotion in a quilombola community in southwestern Bahia, focusing on the prevention of arboviruses and viral hepatitis. This is an experience report based on outreach activities planned using the Rapid Participatory Diagnosis (RPD) method, which was adapted for online interviews due to challenges in accessing the community. Interventions included playful educational activities at a local school—such as "Myths and Truths" and "Mosquito Hunt" games—as well as home visits providing guidance on viral hepatitis, utilizing demonstrative strategies to facilitate participant understanding. The initiatives involved 62 people and demonstrated high community participation, increased knowledge regarding disease transmission and prevention, strengthened self-care practices, and heightened awareness of the importance of preventive measures. The study concludes that outreach activities constitute a significant health education strategy, fostering closer ties between the university and the community, positively impacting students' academic training, and contributing to health promotion among socially vulnerable populations.