UL Nursing Program Sponsors Health Fair

Under the direction of UL Nursing Instructor Marilyn Buford, R.N., M.S.N., nursing students held a health fair at the St. Martinville Public Library, Tuesday, November, 12, to educate local citizens about heart health, infectious diseases, colds and flu and available health care services in the area.

St. Martinville is only one community in the parish where these health fairs were held; the others being in Parks and Breaux Bridge. Based on research done by students, target areas were selected based on communities with populations of twelve thousand or less, areas where heart disease was disproportionately high and where hospital emergency rooms were over utilized.

Individual counseling involved blood pressure tests, pulse readings, education on heart disease and prevention and pre and post tests to measure knowledge in these areas before and after counseling.

Students were enthusiastic about the project, with many expressing interest in the field of public health.