Learnings and reflections arising from extensionist activity of health education in child education centers

Abstract

Introduction: Extension activity is a powerful instrument for the integral and contextualized formation of the student. It favors agregation, application and absorption of multiple knowledge in the community. The project of Health Education Actions and Continuing Education for SUS Professionals at the State University of Londrina, develops health education activities linked to the demands presented by the Child Education Centers that it operates. Objectives:  To report the teaching-learning process and the challenges experienced in an extension activity and correlate them with the curricularization of extension. Methodology: This is a descriptive study of the type of extension experience report, developed by dentistry students from the third to the tenth period and by dentistry professors. The study refers to the period from 2018 to 2019. Results: Health education activities were carried out on the adoption of healthy habits related to the general health of children, parents and caregivers through the elaboration and distribution of folders. For the members of the project, this demand was challenging in relation to the definition of strategies, planning, conciliation of schedules and adoption of resources that would favor communication with the population. This extension experience led to a reflection on the breadth of the curricularization's of extension potential, because it combines social relevance and favors the integral training of students. However, the extent of the objectives of the extension actions and the curricularization of extension, depend on the involvement and dedication of teachers and students. Conclusions: Extension activities and the curricularization of extension are relevant for teaching-learning and for fulfilling the social commitment of universities. They are complex and multifaceted, in addition to the projects presented and the implementation of legislation and educational guidelines.

Keywords: Community-Institutional Relations; Higher Education; Health Education.