Health lessons dedicated to the prevention of hepatitis A were held in the East Kazakhstan region. The organizer was the KSU "East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Educational Development "Erken" of the East Kazakhstan Region Education Department. The classes were conducted in the interview format for students of the region in two languages — Kazakh and Russian, which made it possible to reach a wide audience of schoolchildren of different ages. The speaker was Aygerim Armankyz Batyrkhanova, a public health doctor at the Shygys Center for Preventive Medicine Medical Institution.
The topic of the lessons — "Stop hepatitis A! Find out and protect yourself" — aroused great interest. During the interview, the doctor explained in detail that hepatitis A is an infectious disease that affects the liver and is most often transmitted through contaminated hands, water and food. Symptoms may include weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
The main focus was on prevention. The speaker stressed that the simplest and most effective rule is to wash your hands with soap and running water. It is especially important to wash your hands after using the toilet, before eating and cooking. If it is not possible to wash your hands, you can use antiseptics. It is also necessary to drink only safe water, and if in doubt, boil it. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, and some, such as Chinese apples, should be soaked in boiling water.
The doctor also answered questions about vaccination. She confirmed that hepatitis A vaccination is one of the ways to prevent it, but the decision to vaccinate a child is made jointly with the parents and a medical specialist, taking into account the national vaccination calendar. It is important that the child is absolutely healthy at the time of vaccination.
The speaker also touched upon the topic of other types of hepatitis B and C, which are transmitted parenterally, for example, through blood. She warned about the risks of infection when visiting manicure, tattoo, and dental clinics if the instruments are not properly sterilized. Therefore, it is important to choose trusted craftsmen and clinics.
At the end of the lesson, the doctor reminded that if symptoms of hepatitis A appear, you should not self-medicate, you urgently need to see a doctor. The earlier treatment is started, the lower the risk of complications. The students received comprehensive answers to their questions and thanked the speaker. Conducting such lessons in two languages helps the younger generation to develop a responsible attitude towards their health and improve medical literacy.
