Evaluation of a pamphlet on visceral leishmaniasis as a tool for providing disease information to healthcare professionals and laypersons

Abstract

Although educational materials are frequently produced and used as part of control programs in Brazil, little is known about the efficacy of this type of information. This study evaluated the potential for disseminating information on visceral leishmaniasis using a pamphlet. The sample consisted of 551 healthcare workers and 379 laypeople from a metropolitan area located in southeast Brazil. Both before and after reading the pamphlet, subjects completed a multiple-choice questionnaire. Overall baseline knowledge of the disease was estimated by the proportion of correct answers before reading the pamphlet. Although specific knowledge among zoonosis control workers was higher (90.0% on average), overall baseline knowledge of the disease varied from 45.0% to 77.0%. After reading the pamphlet, the levels increased to 71.0% and 96.0%, respectively. Before reading, the lowest proportion of correct answers in all groups related to the disease symptoms. Analysis of incorrect answers showed that visceral leishmaniasis is mainly confused with leptospirosis. The increased proportion of correct answers after reading the pamphlet is evidence of its potential as an educational tool.

Leishmanioses: o conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde em área endêmica

“…, seguido de los médicos (8,1), mientras los agentes comunitarios de salud tuvieron la menor media (6,7). Las respuestas adecuadas con menos porcentaje de aciertos fueron: medidas preventivas (42,5%), manifestación clínica (25,9%)…”

“…Para a formulação do instrumento de coleta, utilizaram-se conceitos relevantes sobre a doença, baseados em trabalhos semelhantes descritos na literatura (7,(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) . Elaborou-se um questionário autoaplicável com 9 perguntas objetivas, compostas por 6 opções de resposta com somente uma alternativa correta.…”

“…Este fato, aliado ao desconhecimento dos profissionais de saúde, pode levar a atrasos graves na detecção da doença, o que, no caso da LV, pode ser fatal (7) . A educação em saúde pode ser uma estratégia capaz de minimizar tais desfechos, pois permite conjugar importantes conceitos do ciclo e sintomatologia das zoonoses aos hábitos e às atitudes da população local.…”

Dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families: a sustainable model for controlling the disease

“…• Pre and post-intervention assessments a) Students Knowledge of visceral leishmaniasis among students in both schools was evaluated before the specific class and 90 days afterwards, using an individual multiple-choice questionnaire with six questions 7 .…”

Análise da informação sobre a leishmaniose visceral disponível em portais brasileiros da rede mundial de computadores: internet

“…O repasse da informação correta sobre a LV à população por diferentes meios de comunicação pode constituir ferramenta importante para as ações de prevenção e controle da doença 8 .…”