12/07/2016

Text and images: Ariane Mondo – Ascom ISD

Pregnant women who came to Anita Garibaldi Health Education and Research Center (CEPS), in Macaíba (RN), heard our doctors talk about methods to prevent Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya during pregnancy.

The pregnant women learned a recipe for a low-cost natural repellent and after the discussion, they made their own repellent. This is an activity of the award-winning Art of Birth Project, which integrates the Institutional Program for Education and Interprofessional Work in Maternal and Child Health, under the responsibility of CEPS.

In the video below, Carolina Damasio, one of the infectologists and medical preceptors at CEPS gives some tips to pregnant women on simple preventive measures against Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya.

 
And below, Ana Claudine Pontes, one of the medical preceptors at CEPS, gives a step-by-step guide on how to make a natural repellent.
 

 
::::::: INGREDIENTS ::::::::
 
* Water;
* Neem extract (leaves diluted in alcohol);
* Coconut oil;
* Citronella essential oil.
 
Tips:
 
The neem leaves should be placed in an infusion container and the alcohol for dilution should be in a quantity that just covers the leaves.
The amount of citronella oil recommended in the video is for a small portion of repellent. If the bottle is larger, it is recommended to add more drops of citronella oil.

Because it is natural, this repellent does not have a fixative and must be reapplied every hour.