AB1304-HPR KNOWLEDGE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT RHEUMATIC DISEASES: EFFECT OF AN EDUCATIONAL SESSION JOINTLY PROVIDED BY PORTUGUESE EULAR ASSOCIATIONS

Background: International studies have shown that the awareness and knowledge of the general population about rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) is poor. This is even lower in the young population, which are also affected by these disease but do not have as much awareness campaigns as adult community. Their professors and primary health care professionals may also play here also a key role, promoting early detection of signs and interpretations of symptoms, thus avoiding late health care referrals and diagnosis. (Vlieland, 2016). Objectives: To assess the knowledge of high school Portuguese students about the RMDs and raise awareness for RMDs in young people, their professors, vigilants, and primary care nurses, within the school environment. Methods: A 1-hour educational session about RMDs was planned (with the inputs from members of the Portuguese EULAR Associations) and performed during school activities. The educational session started with a knowledge questionnaire about RMDs in a paper sheet (9 questions; Graph 1), repeated in the end. An interactive session, using slides, interactive questions (Sli.do®), and practical demonstrations to simulate RMD symptoms (e.g. stiffness and functional limitations) was then lead by a rheumatology nurse, with the testimony from a young patient representative. A primary care nurse assisted in order to be engaged and promote future sessions (“autonomously”). Change in knowledge was assessed with Wilcoxon-test and awareness was documented with “word clouds” (using Sli.do®). Results: A total of 75 students participated in four sessions (mode=16 years). Half of students (52%) had never heard about RMDs. Knowledge increased significantly in all questions (p Conclusion: Our results confirm that awareness and knowledge about RMDs are very low high school students. The single and educational session was very well received by all students, and the the knowledge increased. Post-educational feedback was that students especially liked the testimony of a peer. Other sessions are taking place in primary schools. References: [1]Vlieland, T. P., et al. RMD Open, 2016;2:e000337. doi:10.1136/rmdopen- 2016-000337 Acknowledgments: To European League Against Rheumatism for the founding provided through the campaign “Don’t Delay, Connect Today”. Disclosure of Interests: None declared