Introduction
Public Health mission is to satisfy the society concern of guarantee those conditions that allow the people to be healthy (1-2).
For that it is fundamental to account with properly educated and qualified professionals.
In this context and given the impact that some illnesses have in our region, Dengue and Yellow Fiber (both epidemical in Argentina last year), Influenza A H1N1(declared pandemic by the OMS), and Leishmaniasis (considered an emergent problem by the Health Ministry of the Nation) (3-5) it was elaborated a new practical activity (PA) of the subject Public Health being its objectives the following:
To integrate and to study in depth the acquired concepts during the subject education in relation to transmissible illnesses, epidemic, endemic, Health Promotion strategies, Illness Prevention and Health Education.
To develop abilities in the pharmacist professional that allow him to give answers to new sanitary situations, actively participating in primary prevention activities.
Materials and methods
Throughout virtual classroom of the subject, related material to each one of the pathologies was given.
After that, students were divided by groups randomly assigning them one of the previously mentioned pathologies.
During the PA the students had a short time for comments among them about the read material.
Then, it was discussed about the population to which the Project would be directed.
Device of each of Primary Prevention Project (brochures, leaflets, or others) was discussed for 1 h by each group.
Later, they presented its project in front of the professors and their classmates.
Finally, the prepared material was set at the virtual classroom in order that all the students had access independently that the topic they prepared.
Results
In 2009 the subject had 96 students, the 84,37% of them carried out this practical activity divided in 23 groups.
The students learnt and could apply the acquired knowledge of 4 new topics, their impact and ways of prevention.
The diffusion strategy selected by the students was brochures in a 95,65%. They justified their option because in their opinion brochures are considered of easy reading, manipulation and distribution. The remaining 4,35% adopted the poster modality because they considered them more easily watchable by all.
All the groups manage the elaboration of simple and easy interpretation material, according to the selected population of reference.
Conclusions
The activity was well accepted by the students, which showed a big interest, contributing with additional material and actively participating in the elaboration.
Besides the fact that this activity lead to incorporate new knowledge, it was an integrating activity doing easy the comprehension of the topics.
Acknowledgments
To all the participating students of Public Health subject.
References
1. Hernández Aguado I, Gil A, Delgado M, Montrull F. Manual de Epidemiología y Salud Pública. 1a ed. Madrid: Editorial Panamericana; 2005.
2. Martínez Navarro F., Antó J.M., Castellanos P.L., Gili M., Marset P., Navarro V. Piédrola Gil G, del Rey Calero J y cols, editores. Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública. 9a ed. Barcelona: Masson Salvat; 1991.
