HEALTH EDUCATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANEMIA AND INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS: A MULTIPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE FROM 2022.1 TO 2026.1
4 affiliations
- 1Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
- 2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Aplicada à Hematologia da Universidade do Estado do Amazonas (PPGH/UEA), Manaus, AM, Brazil
- 3Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública (EBMSP), Salvador, BA, Brazil
- 4Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal da Bahia (PPGFAR/UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
Abstract
Introduction: Anemia and intestinal parasitic infections remain public health concerns among children and adolescents, particularly in socially vulnerable settings, where they may impair physical and cognitive development, school performance, and quality of life. Integrating health education, laboratory screening, and interprofessional practice may strengthen prevention, early detection, and referral. Objective: To describe the experience of the Curricular Action in Community and Society (ACCS) “Health Education: Prevention of Anemia”, implemented by the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) from 2022.1 to 2026.1, emphasizing community reach, multiprofessional practice, and undergraduate training. Materials and Methods: This descriptive experience report included activities conducted over nine academic semesters in three public schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The program involved 1,050 middle-school students and 280 undergraduates from Pharmacy, Nutrition, Medicine, Psychology, Pedagogy, Occupational Therapy, and the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Program in Health. Activities included assessment of dietary and hygiene practices, educational interventions on anemia and intestinal parasite prevention, and production of printed and digital resources, including booklets, brochures, games, quizzes, and videos. Depending on each program cycle, complete blood counts, stool parasitological examinations, and nutritional assessments were performed. Students with laboratory abnormalities received counseling and referral to the public healthcare system. Evaluation considered school-community participation, adherence, and competency development among undergraduates. Results: The initiative reached 1,050 schoolchildren and 280 undergraduates, strengthening collaboration among the university, public schools, and healthcare services. Screening identified anemia in 147 students (14.0%) and intestinal parasitic infections in 231 (22.0%). All affected students received guidance and referral for follow-up. Educational interventions addressed anemia and parasite prevention, healthy eating, nutrition, and personal hygiene. Across nine semesters, 279 educational products were developed, comprising 171 printed materials for face-to-face activities and 108 digital resources disseminated through social media. Faculty expertise in Hematology, Parasitology, Nutrition, and Health Education supported competencies in interprofessional collaboration, health communication, social responsibility, humanized care, and practice in socially vulnerable communities. Discussion: Sustained university extension activities can enhance school-based health promotion while aligning undergraduate education with community needs. Combining educational interventions with laboratory screening enabled a broader preventive approach and strengthened the integration of teaching, research, and extension. Printed and digital educational technologies expanded the reach of health information and diversified educational strategies. Conclusion: This experience demonstrated the feasibility of integrating health education, screening, prevention of anemia and intestinal parasitic infections, and interprofessional education in public schools. The program reinforces the role of university extension in strengthening partnerships among higher education institutions, schools, and health services, while contributing to the education of socially accountable and critically engaged health professionals.
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BibTeX
@article{silva2026health,
title = {{HEALTH EDUCATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANEMIA AND INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS: A MULTIPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE FROM 2022.1 TO 2026.1}},
author = {Brenda Pereira da SILVA and José Pereira Moura NETO and Gracineide Pereira SILVA and Nelson Abrahim FRAIJI and Rajendranath RAMASAWMY and Marina Oliveira SOUSA and Raylan Almeida OLIVEIRA and Ana Luiza Silva TEIXEIRA and Anna Renata Souza LEAL and Renato Santos LEAL},
journal = {Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.htct.2026.108176},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.htct.2026.108176},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - HEALTH EDUCATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANEMIA AND INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS: A MULTIPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE FROM 2022.1 TO 2026.1
AU - Brenda Pereira da SILVA
AU - José Pereira Moura NETO
AU - Gracineide Pereira SILVA
AU - Nelson Abrahim FRAIJI
AU - Rajendranath RAMASAWMY
AU - Marina Oliveira SOUSA
AU - Raylan Almeida OLIVEIRA
AU - Ana Luiza Silva TEIXEIRA
AU - Anna Renata Souza LEAL
AU - Renato Santos LEAL
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy
DO - 10.1016/j.htct.2026.108176
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.htct.2026.108176
AB - Introduction: Anemia and intestinal parasitic infections remain public health concerns among children and adolescents, particularly in socially vulnerable settings, where they may impair physical and cognitive development, school performance, and quality of life. Integrating health education, laboratory screening, and interprofessional practice may strengthen prevention, early detection, and referral. Objective: To describe the experience of the Curricular Action in Community and Society (ACCS) “Health Education: Prevention of Anemia”, implemented by the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) from 2022.1 to 2026.1, emphasizing community reach, multiprofessional practice, and undergraduate training. Materials and Methods: This descriptive experience report included activities conducted over nine academic semesters in three public schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The program involved 1,050 middle-school students and 280 undergraduates from Pharmacy, Nutrition, Medicine, Psychology, Pedagogy, Occupational Therapy, and the Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Program in Health. Activities included assessment of dietary and hygiene practices, educational interventions on anemia and intestinal parasite prevention, and production of printed and digital resources, including booklets, brochures, games, quizzes, and videos. Depending on each program cycle, complete blood counts, stool parasitological examinations, and nutritional assessments were performed. Students with laboratory abnormalities received counseling and referral to the public healthcare system. Evaluation considered school-community participation, adherence, and competency development among undergraduates. Results: The initiative reached 1,050 schoolchildren and 280 undergraduates, strengthening collaboration among the university, public schools, and healthcare services. Screening identified anemia in 147 students (14.0%) and intestinal parasitic infections in 231 (22.0%). All affected students received guidance and referral for follow-up. Educational interventions addressed anemia and parasite prevention, healthy eating, nutrition, and personal hygiene. Across nine semesters, 279 educational products were developed, comprising 171 printed materials for face-to-face activities and 108 digital resources disseminated through social media. Faculty expertise in Hematology, Parasitology, Nutrition, and Health Education supported competencies in interprofessional collaboration, health communication, social responsibility, humanized care, and practice in socially vulnerable communities. Discussion: Sustained university extension activities can enhance school-based health promotion while aligning undergraduate education with community needs. Combining educational interventions with laboratory screening enabled a broader preventive approach and strengthened the integration of teaching, research, and extension. Printed and digital educational technologies expanded the reach of health information and diversified educational strategies. Conclusion: This experience demonstrated the feasibility of integrating health education, screening, prevention of anemia and intestinal parasitic infections, and interprofessional education in public schools. The program reinforces the role of university extension in strengthening partnerships among higher education institutions, schools, and health services, while contributing to the education of socially accountable and critically engaged health professionals.
SN - 2531-1379
SN - 2531-1387
ER -