Active methodologies as strategies in nursing teaching: Raising awareness towards healthy habits

Abstract

Objective: To identify how the use of active methodology may influence healthy habits in nursing students.

Method: A qualitative Assistential Convergent Research, undertaken with 43 students of the Nursing Graduation Course, at a Federal University in Southern Brazil. Data were collected with a semi-structured tool, from May to July 2008. Data were organized into categories and analysed according to scientific publications in the area.

Results: Three study categories raised from the study: Characterization of Nursing Students from the study, Contributions of teaching-learning active methodologies in raising awareness towards healthy habits, and Healthy habits: feeding and physical exercising. They recognize healthy habits and practice it in their routine, it was detected that 16% are overweight, do not exercise regularly, consider their food, leisure, sleeping patterns and self-image to be adequate.

Conclusion: The use of active methodologies may unfold new possibilities towards healthy habits practices.