Level of Knowledge and Risk Factors for Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Mining Area of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Aiming to optimize and adjust leishmaniasis prevention and control measures for the resident population of Pains, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a structured questionnaire containing conceptual questions and questions about household characteristics was used to evaluate knowledge level and exposure risk. A total of 396 individuals were interviewed revealing unscientific and fragmented knowledge about the subject for most of the studied population. The female population was found to have 1.68 times more chance of knowing about the disease than the male population, while highly educated individuals were found to have 2.92 times more chances of knowing about leishmaniasis compared to basic educated individuals. All of the respondents reported the presence of, at least, one risk factor, while ages ≥40 years were considered a protective factor compared to younger ages, indicating that older individuals are more likely to recognize risks and protect themselves against leishmaniasis. These results will contribute to the production of didactic materials for the population with respect to their previous knowledge and will provide a basis for control and prophylactic measures.

Conhecimento da população sobre leishmaniose: revisão integrativa

“…No estudo feito porMargonari et al (2020) cerca de 52,4% dos entrevistados afirmaram manter o ambiente externo da casa limpo como uma medida preventiva eficaz.Aproximadamente 84% indicaram a instalação de mosquiteiros, portas e telas nas janelas; uso de repelentes; e uso de camisas de mangas compridas, calças compridas, meias e sapatos ao entrar em áreas florestais como medidas preventivas individuais.Entre todos os participantes, entrevistados porGelaye et al (2020) 104 (11,0%), 115 (12,11) e 336 (35,4%) usavam mosquiteiro, pulverizavam inseticidas e limpavam o ambiente para prevenir a LV, respectivamente. A maioria dos pacientes entrevistados por Garapati et al (2018) usava mosquiteiro enquanto dormia (85%) e metade (50%) tinha hábito de dormir ao ar livre.…”