Health education in the countryside, forest and Waters

Abstract

Objective: To describe the experience and importance of health education for the population of the countryside, forest and waters, based on experiences and collective health actions carried out in a university extension activity. Methods: This is a descriptive study of the type of experience report, about the activities developed in the extension project entitled "Health education in the countryside, forest and waters", carried out by students from the seventh period of the undergraduate nursing course at the Federal University of Amazonas. The choice of topics was based on the students' observation of the issues most relevant to the community, with the aim of promoting a moment of learning aligned with the needs, curiosities and demands of the population. Results: It was found that health education is relevant to rural communities in the countryside, forest and waters, as it provides knowledge about health practices and disease prevention, as well as reflections on the importance of hygiene care, sanitation and access to medical services, improving the quality of life of these communities. Conclusion: The experience revealed the importance of collective health for rural communities, addressing challenges such as resistance to technical and complex language. Proposed strategies include a preventive focus from childhood and adapting communication to better engage the public, as well as the continued need for inclusive approaches to meet the specific needs of the community and overcome existing barriers. These results reinforce the importance of health education for both the assisted community and the extension students still in their academic training.