Abstract
Introduction/Objective
Public health outreach initiatives underutilize laboratory medicine students and professionals. This poster will discuss a novel bilingual community health screening and education (CHS & E) through laboratory science service-learning (SL) study abroad (SA) program that could be utilized to improve community engagement and understanding of public health issues from a lab perspective.
Methods
In collaboration with The Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC), Texas State University faculty member, Joanna Ellis, and five CLS senior-level students traveled to Huancayo, Peru in June of 2018 for a CHS & E through lab science SL-SA program. Utilizing the self-powered Lab-in-a-Suitcase from International Aid, the group conducted four CHS & E through lab science events in four different communities. We conducted hemoglobin, urinalysis, glucose, cholesterol, and STI screenings on more than 160 people. The CUY Project was the most involved activity with six interactive stations for the families to learn about anemia, parasites, and nutrition through lab tests. Parents and children learned more about their conditions through interactive lab science activities and tests. Following the workshop, parent participants were given an anonymous survey about their knowledge before and after the workshop as well as their suggestions for its improvement.
Results
The lab-science based activities illustrated the biological impact of their lifestyle and dietary choices in a new and impactful way. Participants self-assessed that they learned significantly more about anemia and diabetes during the workshop. Participants learned more about hygiene than they knew before the workshop; however, the increase was not statistically significant. Parent participants surveyed (100%) stated that the workshop would help them make decisions in caring for their children and would help prevent future health problems.
Conclusion
Although the newest iteration of the workshop is entitled Health Education Advances with Lab Science (HEALS) this poster will describe the preparation, implementation, and first stage of evaluation of the CHS & E through laboratory science workshop in Peru. This poster session is an opportunity to discuss how laboratory professionals can interact with their community and showcase the value of the field in public health education initiatives.
Objectives and the Past—Community Health Education
