Representaciones, actitudes y prácticas respecto a la Leishmaniasis Cutánea en la población del Cantón de Acosta, provincia de San José, Costa Rica: estudio antropológico exploratório

Abstract

An exploratory anthropological study on representations, attitudes, and practices related to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) among the rural population of Acosta County, Costa Rica, aimed to estimate the applicability of epidemiologically-based control measures. Open interviews with a small sample of individuals from both case and control households provided the basic for a Propositional Discourse Analysis (PDA). Results are that Acosta people consider CL a distinct nosologic entity, but they are mainly interested in its clinical manifestations in children (who are mainly affected), as well as in their own capacity to act on the disease using folk remedies. The idea of control measures on reservoirs, on vectors, or on the spatial and temporal context of contact does not arise spontaneously in people's thinking. Nevertheless, CL is perceived as a disruption in the safe domiciliary and peridomiciliary space, so that control measures intervening there could have a chance for success.

Efficacy of cryotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: meta-analyses of clinical trials

“…This clinical presentation consequently carries a social stigma, making the patient feel excluded and humiliated. The disease can also impact their interpersonal relationships and psychological health, with women being the most affected [ 5 ]. In Afghanistan, some mothers with CL have prohibited their children from being touched to avoid infecting them, and in Colombia, it has been reported that cutaneous ulcers in a woman can be the pretext for their husband's rejection [ 6 ].…”

The Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and the Sand Fly: Knowledge and Beliefs of the Population in Central Morocco (El Hajeb)

“…Similarly, skin diseases are related to childhood, as they are considered a health problem if they affect young children, regardless of gender: 97.3% for boys and 98.9% for girls. ese results can be explained by the fact that the perceptions of the inhabitants of central Morocco about these skin lesions are the same as those of the inhabitants of the province of San José in Costa Rica because they only consider CL as a health problem if their children are affected [32]. Also, CL is not considered a health priority for the population in the south of the country compared to the many competing health problems [29].…”

Aspectos socioepidemiológicos y culturales de la leishmaniasis cutánea: concepciones, actitudes y prácticas en las poblaciones de Tierralta y Valencia, (Córdoba, Colombia)

“…A pesar de reconocer las lesiones típicas de la leishmaniasis cutánea (grano y llaga), los pobladores desconocen el origen de la enfermedad, el vector que la transmite y en qué lugares, cerca o lejos de su vivienda, lo pueden encontrar. Datos similares han sido reportados en otros países como ecuador, Perú y costa rica (6,17,18,19,26) .…”

“…Quienes padecen leishmaniasis cutánea si bien no fallecen por su causa, sufren las consecuencias del estigma social debido a su asociación con el conflicto armado y los contextos de pobreza y vulnerabilidad social, producto del abandono estatal (6,7,8) . este escenario se complejiza con la inexperiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento por parte del personal de salud que opera en zonas endémicas, producto del deficiente acompañamiento y capacitación de parte de las autoridades de salud, lo que genera una pérdida de credibilidad en la medicina occidental (9) .…”