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    Microscope Literacy

    ARDS educators have been actively involved in teaching Microscope Literacy to give Aboriginal people a direct visual understanding of germs and microrganisms that lie at the heart of many diseases. This education has proved extremely successful, with people gaining knowledge that empowers them to create their own health interventions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Some of the health issues which have been effectively explained through the use of Microscope Literacy Programs are Scabies, HIV/AIDS, Rheumatic Fever and Strongyloides. These sessions have also been effective in explanation of general hygiene issues, through people gaining an understanding of germs and how they accumulate. Understanding germ theory is also the first step in understanding antibiotics, and thus leading to greater uptake of the full course of treatments for infectious diseases.

    Please contact ARDS health staff if you would like more information on microscope set ups.

    The “Foundations of Health Literacy DVD” is a training resource in English, outlining the steps for microscope literacy and germ theory education, as well as discussing some of the principles behind ARDS educational methodology. Click here to purchase a copy.


Two areas in which we have extensive face-to-face education experience are:

Strongyloides - ARDS is seeking to educate people and raise awareness of Strongyloides: a tiny parasitic worm. Strongyloidiasis is caused by infection with enteric threadworms and causes significant ill health for extended periods of time. It can be fatal in a small number of cases.

HIV/AIDS - Education in HIV/AIDS seeks to redress some of the misconceptions caused by previous education attempts in this area.

     

    There have been many success stories in the teaching of Microscope Literacy. For more information on some of these stories, check these Health Stories,