REPORT OF A HEALTH EDUCATION EXPERIENCE ON BURN PREVENTION MEASURES AND FIRST AID FOR CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction: Children represent nearly a third of burn victims in Brazil, with most incidents occurring in the home environment. It is known that many burn-related accidents can be prevented, and the initial actions are crucial for the clinical outcome. Objective: To report the experience of health education (workshops) carried out by medical students on burn prevention measures and first aid for children from an inclusion group in a public school in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Experience report: The first stage of the activity involved four 10-minute discussion sessions, in which medical students, working in pairs, aimed to assess the children’s knowledge of burns, first aid, and prevention measures. After creating a memory game, the second stage focused on playing the game and discussing actions in the initial management of burn-related incidents, recognizing potentially dangerous situations and behaviors. The memory game dynamics allowed the children’s personal experiences with burn-related topics to enrich the educational process, fostering collaborative knowledge construction that enhances both social interaction and cognitive development. Conclusion: The health education action facilitated by the playful tool of the memory game enabled interaction between students and children, fostering a deeper understanding of the topic. For medical students, the experience prompted reflection on their role in health promotion actions, along with the development of communication skills, empathy, and exposure to the socioeconomic reality of public school students.