Health Prevention in the Islands of Paraná: An Experience Report

Riverside and island populations are more vulnerable to infectious diseases due to limited access to health services. This project aimed to promote health education, epidemiological surveillance, and rapid testing in remote coastal Paraná communities, integrating students’ practical training with health equity promotion. Experience report describing student participation in an extension project. Three actions were carried out, each lasting two days, between October 2024 and April 2025 ‒ two in Guaraqueçaba and one in the Tagaçaba district. Each action included an infectious disease physician and medical students. Students were previously trained to perform rapid tests for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C. Activities began with community discussion circles addressing information about these infections, their characteristics, transmission routes, and treatment possibilities, plus a Q&A moment. Rapid testing was then offered. A total of 340 rapid tests were performed, covering 85 people across the three actions. Among those tested, 69.4% (59) were women and 30.6% (26) were men. Of the 85 participants, 52 reported age, with a mean of 49.77 ± 14.35 years. Two tests were positive for syphilis; all others were negative. Diagnosed individuals received initial treatment and guidance on follow-up and the need for partner testing and treatment. The project was effective in expanding access to preventive health services for island populations while providing meaningful practical training for students. University ‒ community integration reinforces the role of extension activities as instruments of social transformation and inequity reduction. However, challenges in caring for riverside populations were highlighted: although syphilis-positive cases received initial treatment, follow-up was difficult due to structural limitations in local health units.