Vallarta and Nayarit to Participate in 'Second Day Against Dengue' Efren Urrutia - AZ Noticias
go to original August 30, 2013

The Federal Health Ministry of Mexico has announced the "Second National Day of Struggle Against Dengue 2013" in which  broad participation is expected by institutions in the sectors of health, education, commerce, municipalities and the community at large in helping to promote the reduction of risk of transmission of the Dengue disease.

The intention is that in a week of intensive actions primarily targeted to schools and their environments across the country, steps are taken to prevent the spread of this disease most frequently targeted in some states.

Based on the experience of the "First National Dengue Control," it is expected the program for the "Second Day" will take place simultaneously in 31 states beginning on September 2.

The overall objective is to contribute to Dengue epidemic control through promotion of health and prevention of disease through actions of health education, outreach and social participation in educational establishments of preschool, primary, secondary, higher education, housing, public buildings and environments.

The implementation of the "National Day to Fight Dengue in Mexico" is presented as a strategy of the national program on prevention and control of Dengue to implement actions aimed primarily at health promotion as the main focus of this initiative, simultaneous actions integral control, operating interstate, local participation, responsibility and risk communication through high-impact media.

General activities to different levels of education

• Social participation: Working with the Ministry of Public Education includes interaction with mothers, fathers, committees, councils and municipalities.

• Health education: Training workshops for teachers, students, mothers, fathers, committees and School Boards with  social participation on environmental, social, symptoms and treatment.

• Access to preventive health services: Organization and installation of filters in the schools to detect symptoms and referral to services (notice to parents). Registration of actions in the National Health Card.

• Physical and psychosocial environment: Artistic activities with reference to health promotion and prevention of Dengue (theater, singing, painting, drawing). Creating the slogan "Children are Dengue Hunters."

Suggestions by grade level

Groups of 3-5 years (Kindergarten and Pre-primary):

1. Health education and outreach: To begin to form beliefs on the subject of Dengue in this group and thus impact their behavior by providing proper knowledge in addressing general issues of personal protection and home care, health promotion and environmental sanitation.

2. Addressing general issues through play: dancing, singing, plays, movies, games and drawings.

Groups of 6-11 years (Primary):

1. Preparation of drawings and parades alluding to personal protective measures and home care health promotion and environmental sanitation.

2. Identification and recognition of stages of the life cycle of the insect and potential breeding sites in the home.

3. Create plays or songs related to the strategy of Dengue control.

4. Emphasize the slogan "Children are Dengue Hunters" with the presentation of detailed general knowledge of issues related to Dengue in order further understand how to identify and reduce the risks caused by the mosquito.

Groups of 12-17 years (Middle and High School):

1. Preparation of posters and messages related to personal protection and home care.

2. Identification and recognition of the life cycle stages of the insect and potential breeding grounds with instruction through videos, forums, debates or rallies.

3. Creating plays to transmit knowledge to school children.

4. Participation in school filters.

5. Workshops where they report on the severity of the disease and its consequences including economic and social.

6. Evaluation of the implementation of the actions registered in the EPER format.

Groups of 18 and more (University):

1. Holding forums and messages related to personal protection and home care. Development of outreach material determinants of disease.

2. Lectures and discussion forums with health sector personnel and municipalities.

3. Participate in relevant committees for improving environmental management and inputs.

4. Participation in the Conference of "Lava, Tapa, Tira y Voltea."

Translated and edited by Team Angels