Educação em saúde e ambiente em comunidades quilombolas do Pará/Brasil

Abstract

There are few initiatives about health and environment education in quilombos in Pará. In this article education is seen a way to contribute to the reduction of health problems in these populations. The research is based on data collected in field work in four communities and bibliographic information. The methodology included the socioecological characterization of the communities, and the creation of a health education program planed for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years, which was implemented as a pilot in the communities África and Laranjituba through an interactive discussion about the main themes identified (flu, dental cavities, anemia, mycoses and intestinal worms). Following, to evaluate the activities a didactic exercise created especially for the program was applied. The test showed that the majority of the participants (68%) apprehended the desired information. It is suggested that this approach be used as a possible strategy of action to contribute to the improvement of the quilombola’s quality of life.