Educational actions to prevent dengue : experiences and strategies with elderly

Dengue Aged Disease prevention Health education Objetivo: descrever atividades realizadas em serviço público ambulatorial para prevenção de dengue entre idosos. Descrição do Caso: o panorama epidemiológico da dengue é alarmante, constituindo problema de saúde pública. Os idosos compõem o grupo de maior risco para hospitalização e formas graves da doença, sendo imprescindíveis ações de educação em saúde para melhoria da conscientização quanto à necessidade do combate e prevenção da doença. Neste contexto, foi elaborado um projeto de Educação em Saúde, com estratégias de comunicação para conscientização sobre a problemática. Foram realizadas pelo grupo de aprimorandas em Gerontologia atividades como teatro interativo de fantoches, dinâmica sobre mitos e verdades, folder informativo, paródia, cartazes, capacitação de idosos, cuidadores e familiares, profissionais, funcionários e residentes de instituições de longa permanência para idosos (ILPI). Os materiais foram disponibilizados em versão impressa e digital. Foram capacitados 2.500 idosos e 350 profissionais, incentivados a multiplicarem informações e estimular adoção de medidas preventivas. As ações proporcionaram convívio intergeracional e empoderamento dos idosos, que ao serem capacitados tiveram oportunidade de exercer participação social e divulgar orientações para outros usuários. Conclusão: o projeto possibilitou a construção de conhecimentos através de ações educativas interativas que contribuíram para fortalecer a consciência individual e coletiva, sensibilizar formadores de opinião para importância da comunicação/educação no combate à dengue, sendo enfatizada a responsabilidade social no resgate à cidadania numa perspectiva de que cada cidadão é responsável por si e por sua comunidade.


INTRODUCTION
In 2015, a total of 404,636 cases of dengue were reported in the state of São Paulo until 04/22/2015. According to the Ministry of Health, the elderly have a 12-fold higher risk of death from dengue than any other age group. [1][2][3] Dengue mortality profile among the 17,666 cases confirmed by serology in Puerto Rico showed a higher proportion of hospitalized elderly, as well as the development of the more severe forms of the disease. 4 The epidemiological scenario of dengue is one of concern, constituting a public health problem. Considering this perspective, we emphasize the importance of educational actions of prevention,as well asthe preparation of educative materials that may constitute the professional'spractice of user education.
This report aimed at describing activities performed on an outpatient public service of Geriatrics and Gerontology for dengue prevention among the elderly. An Educational Health Project wascarried out and communication strategies were developed to raise awareness on the subject.

CASE REPORT
Based on the coordination of the Center for Studies on the Aging Process of A parody about dengue was created, using a song previously known by the elderly. The lyrics were adapted to the context of the song and theme, and recorded with the help of the service professionals, being made available to the Ministry of Health, which was latertransported to other health units.
Considering the popular culture about the disease, the group createdan interactive activity called "Myths and Truths", applied at different times to users, external professionals that were attending courses in gerontology at the unit, service employees, collaborators and residents of nearby long-term care facilities for the elderly (ILPI), aiming to replicate the actions. Based on several previously prepared statements, participants should indicate their opinion by means of red or green placards, followed by discussion and consensus among the participants.
Discussion constitutes a teaching and learning strategy of mutual communication without impedimentsfora consensus to be reached. Thus, it is possible to question one's own beliefs and admit that the parties are questioned by each other. It has a constructive, comprehensive and educational characteristic, encouraging reflection and changes in attitude. 6 Aiming to expand the scope of actions, the group trained elderly volunteers of the service, who develop daily activities of welcoming and listening to users, relatives/caregivers, giving recommendations on the service routine, coexistence activities and projects in ILPI. Subsequently, the volunteers distributed informative leaflets during welcoming sessions, explaining the subject in colloquial language and using everyday situations to exemplify preventive measures.
The action plan aimed to empower and train users, families and caregivers, as well as internal and external health professionals, raising awareness for the need for changes in prevention attitudes and habits, highlighting the risk for the more aggressive form of the disease among the elderly, considering the morbidity profile and prevalence of chronic conditions in this age group.

CONCLUSION
The interactive educational activities contributed to strengthen the individual and collective awareness, raise the awareness of opinion leaders regarding the importance of communication/education in the fight against dengue, which emphasized social responsibility in rescuing citizenship rights from the perspective that each citizen is responsible for oneself and for the community.