IMPORTANCE OF CHILD EDUCATIONAL ACTION FOR A NEW CITIZENSHIP CONCEPT AND VISION RANGE OF INTEGRAL HEALTH

Introduction and Objective: Children’s poor health in Brazil is concerning. Questioning whether this is a result of socio-economic and cultural issues or a crisis in the current public health model. A tendency in which children do not have basic information/guidelines that allows full potential health is observed. Aiming, therefore, to show the influence and importance of educational actions. Not only in mobilizing the population, but in the formation of a new identity for these children, attempting to create a new citizenship concept shown in integral health. Methods: Thirty-eight children, from 6 - 12 years old, from the Benevolent Association of Children and Adolescents (ABECA) - Barra do Jucu, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo – Brazil took part in educational activities. Identifying and discussing issues holistically, such as hygiene notions, sexuality, sexual abuse, and family relationships. These children were divided according to sex and age, in order not to jeopardize the integrity of the study. Results and Conclusion: Nine to twelve year olds, regardless of sex, showed more precarious integral health, reporting cases of family conflicts, difficulties in understanding the theme sexuality, sexual abuse, and lack of interest in performing basic hygiene due to not understanding its importance. Whereas, boys and girls from 6 - 8 year old, argued that good hygiene isn’t encouraged, as well as never having basic body care knowledge in an integral manner. This study shows the importance of educational actions, and attempted to understand the children’s present-day conditions, and causes of the current health scenario.