Community-based infectious disease prevention awareness through children's creative works: outreach embedded in school-based action research
4 affiliations
- 1Division of Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine
- 2Department of Sports and Health Science, Faculty of Physical Education, Japan Women's College of Physical Education
- 3Public Health Laboratory, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University
- 4Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Sapporo International University
Abstract
Background: Collaborating with schools, a key social and educational environment for children, is considered beneficial for implementing health education. Although child-focused public health activities are conducted globally, few have been documented in the academic literature.
Objective: This project aimed to provide children with opportunities to engage in infectious disease prevention and health-related activities.
Methods: From 2018 to 2024, we collaborated with schools to conduct public health awareness activities and contests using posters and Senryu created by children in Sapporo. Senryu is a short form of Japanese poetry. This activity was designed as an outreach activity within the framework of action research.
Practice: In the early stages of the project, principals and other school administrators served as the primary contacts for the research team. As the project progressed, however, Yogo-teachers, specially trained school health professionals in Japan who are responsible for health education, first aid, and the coordination of school health activities, became the main collaborators.
Conclusions: We succeeded in sustaining a long-term regional academic partnership. To integrate public health education into school activities, the cooperation of school personnel dedicated to the wellbeing of children was essential. Researchers, together with stakeholders from local governments, companies, organizations, and local communities, cooperated in running the contest. Overall, this project illustrates how sustained collaboration with schools, particularly through the engagement of Yogo-teachers, can facilitate the integration of public health education into routine school practice and support the development of long-term community-academic partnerships.
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BibTeX
@article{oura2026communitybased,
title = {{Community-based infectious disease prevention awareness through children's creative works: outreach embedded in school-based action research}},
author = {Asae Oura and Hiroko Yako-Suketomo and Yukiko Naito and Mayu Nakata and Tsugushi Hayashi and Hirofumi Ohnishi},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1954389},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1954389/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Community-based infectious disease prevention awareness through children's creative works: outreach embedded in school-based action research
AU - Asae Oura
AU - Hiroko Yako-Suketomo
AU - Yukiko Naito
AU - Mayu Nakata
AU - Tsugushi Hayashi
AU - Hirofumi Ohnishi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1954389
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1954389/full
AB - Background: Collaborating with schools, a key social and educational environment for children, is considered beneficial for implementing health education. Although child-focused public health activities are conducted globally, few have been documented in the academic literature. Objective: This project aimed to provide children with opportunities to engage in infectious disease prevention and health-related activities. Methods: From 2018 to 2024, we collaborated with schools to conduct public health awareness activities and contests using posters and Senryu created by children in Sapporo. Senryu is a short form of Japanese poetry. This activity was designed as an outreach activity within the framework of action research. Practice: In the early stages of the project, principals and other school administrators served as the primary contacts for the research team. As the project progressed, however, Yogo-teachers, specially trained school health professionals in Japan who are responsible for health education, first aid, and the coordination of school health activities, became the main collaborators. Conclusions: We succeeded in sustaining a long-term regional academic partnership. To integrate public health education into school activities, the cooperation of school personnel dedicated to the wellbeing of children was essential. Researchers, together with stakeholders from local governments, companies, organizations, and local communities, cooperated in running the contest. Overall, this project illustrates how sustained collaboration with schools, particularly through the engagement of Yogo-teachers, can facilitate the integration of public health education into routine school practice and support the development of long-term community-academic partnerships.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -