Information and education in schistosomiasis control: an analysis of the situation in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents the main ideas discussed in the round-

The role of population movement in the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis in Brazil: a preliminary typology of population movement

“…In the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, MG, where most migrants come from the hyperendemic northern part of MG (Matos 1995), schistosomiasis prevalence has been between 7-10%. This prevalence is similar to the overall rate in MG over most of the last seven decades (Schall & Diniz 2001).…”

“…In many favelas, rapid urban growth overtakes infrastructure development and is characterised by a lack of safe water supplies and sewage systems; such growth is also associated with an increased risk of schistosomiasis exposure (Soares et al 1995, Schall & Diniz 2001, Massara et al 2004. The tendency of Biomphalaria tenagophila and possibly other snail species to cluster in urban neighbourhoods that have high levels of organic pollution in surface water (Teles 2005) increases the risk of transmission in these neighbourhoods.…”

Acute schistosomiasis outbreak in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais: alert about the risk of unnoticed transmission increased by growing rural tourism

“…Schall (1998) lined out new models of health education in childhood, as well as for adults, that can help to overcome these shortfalls. In a more recent publication about information and education in schistosomiasis control, Schall and Diniz (2001) emphasize that community participation is an important factor for strengthening knowledge of this disease within a population. As a model may also serve the so called "home land museums" in Europe or the "science centers" in the United States.…”

Evaluation of informative materials on leishmaniasis distributed in Brazil: criteria and basis for the production and improvement of health education materials

“…These clearly demonstrate an excessive appeal to people's fear, besides containing distorted concepts such as sandflies portrayed with "human" traits (a good-versus-evil, "beware-of-the-sandfly" approach). Critical analysis and quality criteria should foster the preparation of appropriate health information materials, enhancing the nature of such publications in order to reach their goal (Schall & Diniz, 2001). The above-mentioned educational materials on leishmaniasis that are distributed in Brazil are limited by their inappropriate language and conceptual mistakes, clearly jeopardizing the information they contain.…”

“…The use of illustrations does not necessarily enhance the materials' readability or ensure understanding of their message (Lefèvre, 1981). In addition, informative materials on diseases in Brazil can tend to copy each other, reproducing the same errors for decades, as shown by one group of authors in the case of schistosomiasis (Schall & Diniz, 2001). Although educational materials are frequently produced and used in Brazil as part of disease control programs, little is known about the efficacy of such information.…”