The First Year MSc Nursing students and faculty coordinator from the Department of Child Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, visited the Day Care Centre of MAHE as part of the academic outreach program on December 2, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The program was conducted by two First Year MSc Nursing, Child Health Nursing speciality students under the guidance of Dr Binu Margaret, Assistant Professor - Selection Grade, Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, Manip

The program aimed to observe the activities of the Day Care Centre and to create awareness about “Personal Hygiene and Environmental Hygiene” for under-five children. The outreach program contributed towards sustainable development goals 3 and 4 (SDG 3 & 4) to achieve good health and wellbeing and quality education.

The awareness session on “Personal Hygiene and Environmental Hygiene” was interactive and was deliberated by Ms. Rechangben Imchen and Ms. Aminath Sima, I Year MSc Nursing students. The session highlighted adopting healthy habits, hand hygiene, the proper technique of brushing the teeth, taking a bath, grooming, and following a daily routine. The session also emphasized the importance of keeping their surroundings clean and ways to prevent mosquito breeding sites at home and bites. The students also

demonstrated the handwashing and brushing techniques to the children. The session was conducted using AV aids like flashcards, models, and videos, along with educational nursery songs and rhymes, which enabled the children to easily grasp the concept at their level of understanding and actively participated in singing along, performing action to the songs being played.

In addition, the height and weight of the children were measured, and the growth and nutritional status of the children were assessed.

A total of 25 students and 5 teachers or caregivers actively participated in the program. Feedback was obtained from the caretakers and participants. The caretakers and the children appreciated the sessions and expressed that they were useful to them, and the sessions were well organized. The students expressed their gratitude to the caretakers for their support, hard work, and unconditionally taking care of all the children with so much patience and love. Students also extended their gratitude to the Department of Child Health Nursing, MCON, for arranging this opportunity to spend time educating the children. The program ended with the distribution of refreshments.