Esquistossomose em Pernambuco: determinantes bio-ecológicos e sócio-culturais em comunidade de pequenos agricultores da Zona da Mata

Padrão epidemiológico da esquistossomose em comunidade de pequenos produtores rurais de Pernambuco, Brasil

“…O estudo antropológico realizado na localidade (Barbosa, 1996) identificou as crenças e percepções da população em relação à etiologia e transmissão da endemia. Por exemplo, as sanguessugas, presentes em grande quantidade na lama das hortas, são percebidas como exercendo um papel preponderante como vetor da doença.…”

“…É parte de um estudo mais amplo que pretendeu fazer a articulação do conhecimento epidemiológico com o antropológico no sentido de compreender uma situação endê-mica nas suas várias dimensões e níveis determinantes, objetivando identificar elementos relevantes para a construção de ações programáticas de controle em nível local (Barbosa, 1996).…”

Assessment of schistosomiasis, through school surveys, in the Forest Zone of Pernambuco, Brazil

“…The emphasis has been on the ecology and control of the mollusks that are the intermediate hosts (Barbosa 1992a,b, 1996, Barbosa & Barbosa 1994, 1996, Barbosa et al 1992, 1993, Bogéa et al 1996, Dannemann & Pieri 1989, 1991, 1993a, b, Favre et al 1995, 1997, Gazin et al 2000, Pieri 1995, Pieri & Dannemann 1996, Pieri & Thomas 1986, 1987, Randall et al 2001, Sarquis et al 1997, the ecological and epidemiological determinants of the disease (Barbosa 1992b, 1997, 1998a, b, Barbosa & Coimbra 2000, Barbosa & Gouveia 2000, Coutinho et al 1997, Gazin et al 2002, Gonçalves et al 1992, Simões-Barbosa et al 2001, and also the impact of chemotherapy treatment for infected individuals, in relation to the transmission dynamics of the disease , Favre et al 2002, Zani et al 2004). The knowledge resulting from these studies has made it possible to adapt the schistosomiasis evaluation and control strategies recommended by central health bodies -WHO at the worldwide level and the Health Surveillance Department of the Ministry of Health at the national level -to the regional characteristics and demands.…”

An interactive perspective of health education for the tropical disease control: the schistosomiasis case

“…Such orientation requires an investment in studies that establish a better comprehension of human beings and their relationships, which include psychological and affective investigations associated with the necessary knowledge concerning the specific socio-economic and cultural aspects related to health (Schall 1996). However, focusing specifically on schistosomiasis, only recently have the methodologies of social sciences been used in the process of investigation (Kloos et al 1987, Schall 1987, Patwari & Aneja 1988, Rozemberg 1994, Barbosa 1996.…”

“…In Brazil, people from rural endemic areas showed disbelief in the clinical explanations that a tiny worm could penetrate the body through the skin and even when accepting this hypothesis, most people kept the belief that the worm could also be swallowed with drinking water. As a result, families felt protected by avoiding drinking water directly from streams but were stepping continuously into contaminated water, were being continually reinfected (Schall 1995, Rozemberg 1995, Barbosa 1996. There is also the fact that shistosomiasis is considered a minor disease by many communities when compared with poverty, starvation and lack of basic needs such as schools, electricity, roads and employment (Kloos 1995).…”