IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH INTERVENTION ON HYGIENE PRACTICES AND PREVENTION OF PARASITIC DISEASES IN SCHOOLCHILDREN OF AN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IN LAMBARÉ, PARAGUAY

Abstract

Intestinal parasitosis remains a public health concern among vulnerable populations, particularly in Indigenous communities with limited access to basic services, environmental sanitation, and health education. As part of a University Social Responsibility (USR) project conducted by the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Universidad del Pacífico, an educational and health intervention was implemented for schoolchildren from the Cerro Poty Indigenous community in Lambaré, Paraguay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the intervention on hygiene practices and the prevention of intestinal parasitosis. A descriptive final evaluation study was conducted during the 2024–2025 period, considering the coverage of the activities, the deworming campaign, and the perceptions of school staff regarding changes in students' hygiene habits. The campaign benefited 56 schoolchildren, reaching approximately 70% coverage. The evaluation included a structured survey administered to 15 members of the school community, who reported improvements in handwashing before meals and after toilet use, as well as increased awareness of personal hygiene. The findings indicate that the intervention promoted healthier habits and reinforced the value of University Social Responsibility as an effective strategy for health promotion in socially vulnerable communities.