Campaign in Cocachacra Schools to Fight Dengue
In the Cocachacra district of Arequipa, Peru, students from several educational institutions participated in a dengue prevention campaign organized by the Arequipa Regional Health Management and carried out by the Red de Salud Islay. The initiative aims to empower young people to become active agents of change in their homes and communities, extending the impact of health programs beyond the classroom.
What the campaign aims to achieve
Health officials emphasize that the most effective dengue prevention starts with education. By turning students into multipliers, the program seeks to spread knowledge about vector control, risk awareness, and practical steps to reduce breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The goal is to lower the chance of dengue transmission by fostering daily actions at school, at home, and in neighboring neighborhoods.
Key activities at the schools
During the sessions, teachers and health professionals used interactive activities to make learning engaging and memorable. Through playful games, dynamic exercises, and open dialogue, students learned how to identify common mosquito breeding sites—such as standing water in containers, discarded tires, and clogged drains—and how to eliminate them responsibly. The approach blends information with practical demonstrations, ensuring students leave with concrete steps they can implement immediately.
I.E. San Martín de Porres
At I.E. San Martín de Porres, students participated in guided discussions about mosquito life cycles, followed by a hands-on activity where they inspected classroom and school grounds for potential breeding sites. The session reinforced the habit of regularly emptying containers, covering water storage, and teaching family members about vector control measures.
I.E. Cristo Rey
At I.E. Cristo Rey, the emphasis was on dialogue about dengue risk and community responsibility. Students collaborated on role-playing exercises that simulated neighborhood outreach, practicing simple messages they could share with family and friends to sustain prevention efforts outside school hours.
I.E. Estrella de Belén
At I.E. Estrella de Belén, participants explored the importance of timely reporting of potential breeding sites and the role of clean surroundings in reducing mosquito habitats. The activities encouraged students to become proactive leaders within their peer groups and neighborhoods.
Students as agents of change
Collectively, the participants committed to replicating what they learned in their own communities. The experience reinforces the idea that dengue prevention begins in the classroom but flourishes through sustained action at home, in the street, and across the district. By sharing knowledge with families and neighbors, the students help to create a culture of prevention that can reduce the risk to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly.
Broader impact and future plans
These activities are part of a broader health promotion strategy designed to reduce disease risk and raise awareness about vector control. By integrating dengue prevention into school curricula and daily routines, regional health authorities aim to build long-term resilience against vector-borne diseases. Officials hope to expand the program to additional schools in the Arequipa region and establish ongoing channels for student-led health initiatives that involve parents and community members.
