FHTS and CFTRI Layout Public Health Outreach Session, 17th May 2013, Mysore, Karnataka

As a beginning to the outreach session at Mysore, Karnataka in South India, this was one of the first in the series of public health orientation sessions conducted on May 17, 2013 for a period of 90 minutes. The face to face synchronous session for an audience of 6 to 13 year age group is the first of its kind in the CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute) Layout at Mysore was meant to introduce important concepts for a healthy living not only for the self, but for the community environment as well.

Starting with simple demonstrations and practice session for basic hygiene practices including the evidence based methods of hand washing, and oral hygiene, it continued to more fun filled activities of jingles and songs related to healthy food. Participation as one of the key ways to motivation was encouraged throughout. Concluding with a note on emergency services and numbers for the layout, feed back was obtained and children were encouraged to think and come back with their ideas to make their community a better place to live in.

The outcomes of the session resulted in a mutual promise for a creative and long lasting cooperation of continuum of health education, promotion and support ‘to make healthier choice the easier choice’ (The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, 1986) as a means to fulfilling their aspirations and dreams in future. The following report gives an overview of the session.