EXPOITSAÚDE PROJECT IN 2023:INTERLOCUTIONS AND TRAINING EXPERIENCES

Abstract

The present article aims to describe the results of two actions from the ExpoITSaúde project, involving interactions with the community regarding communicable diseases and infections, as well as the formative experiences gained. It is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, a type of action research linked to the Program for the Promotion of Extension Activities (PROFAEX-UFAL). The extension proposal involved a team of 55 students from Biological Sciences and other collaborators. The initial stage included the structuring of working groups, including the distribution of topics and diagnosis. In the second phase, the teams organized and/or developed educational materials for thematic exhibitions. Subsequently, itinerant exhibitions addressing immunopreventable diseases and sexually transmitted infections were conducted in two locations, reaching the external community. After the actions, individual reports were requested from the extensionists, covering various perspectives. Twelve themes on health education were presented in the two actions. The audience reached was 401 visitors, with 140 in Action I and 261 in Action II. Moreover, the majority of undergraduates who engaged in direct dialogue with the community expressed high satisfaction: 58.1% (Action I) and 56.8% (Action II) during the exhibition and interaction with the community. By sharing information about sexuality and the importance of immunization, possibilities arise to encourage body care. It is concluded that the ExpoITSaúde project successfully fulfilled its objective of promoting dialogue between undergraduates and the community on the subject, fostering the exchange of knowledge, and strengthening academic training.