DEVELOPMENT OF A BOARD GAME AS A HEALTH EDUCATION TOOL ON PARASITIC PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN FROM TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SANTARÉM-PA

Abstract

Enteroparasites follow as one of the main public health problems in communities with vulnerable social and environmental conditions, especially among children, a particularly susceptible group due to behavioral, immunological factors and the absence of adequate hygiene practices. This study describes the elaboration of an educational technology aimed at preventing intestinal parasites, through the development of an educational board for children aged 6 to 12 residents in traditional communities in the municipality of Santarém, Pará. It is a descriptive methodological research, composed of three interconnected phases: (1) Planning and conception of the game, with rules, content, structure and characters; (2) Systematic bibliographic survey, conducted on bases such as Scielo, Medline and BVS, with the purpose of identifying the main theoretical content related to the prevention of parasites in children; and (3) Graphic elaboration of educational technology, with the creation of visual materials in Canva and physical production of the game elements (board, cards, manual and parts). The game "Board of Parasites" was structured with 50 houses, "healthy habits" and "risk factors", and practical guidelines based on official documents such as the National Surveillance and Control Plan of enteroparasitoses, with accessible language and visual elements adapted to Amazonian reality, the game seeks to integrate teaching and playfulness to promote active learning and the change of health behaviors. It is concluded that the proposed technology has the potential to be used in schools, health facilities and itinerant actions, strengthening interdisciplinary health education practices, focusing on promoting children's self-care and preventing parasitic infections.