Health of Indigenous Populations in Brazil – IFMSA-Brazil

Name of the activity: Health of Indigenous Populations in Brazil

Country/NMO: IFMSA-Brazil

Program: Ethics and Human Rights in Health

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: First-time Activity

Category: Education

Focus area: Human Rights for Medical Professionals in daily clinical settings, Medical Ethics (Patient Centered Care, Good Medical Practice, direct doctor-patient relationship), Rights of patients, doctors and medical students

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Problem statement:

According to the 2010 Census, indigenous population made up 0.47% (817,963) of the Brazilian population. Classically, infectious and parasitic diseases are the main causes of indigenous morbidity and mortality in Brazil. However, there is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases, such as hypertension. Given the recognition of the importance of caring for the indigenous population, it is necessary that students in the health area have knowledge about their health issues.

Target groups:

• Medical students

Beneficiaries:

• Medical students
• Indigenous Populations

Objectives:

1) To expose 300 participants to the heterogeneity of the indigenous population and its relationship with health, allowing students to improve their knowledge of the health of the indigenous population.

2) To partially fill the gaps in the knowledge of 300 students regarding the health of the indigenous population, since indigenous people have specific characteristics arising from the region and its culture, resulting in the need for differentiated management.

3) To bring 300 academics closer to the reality of the indigenous population, through the topics covered in the lectures.

4) To demonstrate to 300 academics how health care is provided and what are the main comorbidities, which generally affect different indigenous peoples, focusing on the North and Midwest regions.

Indicators of Success:

1) At least 75% of participants are able to understand the heterogeneity of the indigenous population and its relationship with health, improving their knowledge about health of the indigenous population.

2) At least 75% of the students present are able to partially fill the gaps in the knowledge regarding the health of the indigenous population, since indigenous peoples have specific characteristics arising from the region and its culture, resulting in the need for differentiated management.

3) 75% of the participants are able to feel closer to the reality of the indigenous population, through the topics covered in the lectures.

4) 75% of the participants are able to understand how health care is provided and what are the main comorbidities, which generally affect different indigenous peoples, focusing on the North and Midwest regions.

Methodology:

The event was announced by the social networks of IFMSA Brazil UFPR and broadcast on the YouTube virtual platform. The first day of the event featured a lecture; the second, with three lectures and the third, with two lectures. On the first day, an anthropological contextualization of Brazilian indigenous peoples was carried out by Dr. Adriana Áthila. On the second day, the following topics were addressed: “Introduction to indigenous health”, with Eliane Sanches Henriques, “Changes in the living conditions of indigenous populations and their impacts on health”, with Dr. Luiza Garnelo and “Infectious diseases in indigenous population and the more doctors program”, with Dr. Ananda Conde. On the third day, the topic “Emergency in indigenous health and experience report in relation to the care of the indigenous population” was addressed by Dr. Calebe Monteiro Borba. To close the event, Dr. Sofia Mendonça presented on “Project Xingu and COVID-19 in the indigenous population”.

Plans for evaluation:

For the impact measurement, each day a form was sent to those registered for the event, with an attendance and evaluation form for the lectures of the day, with an opening for suggestions and personal opinions. The prior and subsequent knowledge about each of the topics covered on the day was evaluated through a questionnaire sent to each participant at the event after the end of each day. At the end of the event, in the post-event form on the third day, the form has a knowledge self-assessment, in which the registrant evaluates his knowledge on the subject from 0 to 10. The answer will be compared with the same self-assessment made in the registration and thus, the impact assessment is obtained.

External collaborations:

There were no partnerships.