The control of schistosomiasis in Brazil: an ethno–epidemiological study of the effectiveness of a community mobilization program for health education

The impact of two education methods on knowledge of schistosomiasis transmission and prevention among schoolchildren in a rural community in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Similar results were achieved by studies developed by our group in other endemic areas for schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis in Minas Gerais by using a similar model (Gazzinelli et al 2002, Reis 2003. The failure to raise knowledge levels in Group 2 (cognitive approach) and Group 3 (control group) parallels the outcomes of other health education interventions in other endemic areas in Brazil and other countries using cognitive models (Uchôa et al 2000, Valla & Oliveira 2001, Silva et al 2002, Sow et al 2003. Those authors pointed out that there is a need to go beyond the informative approach, as the one used in Group 2 and to consider two other aspects: (1) the subjective dimensions in health processes that value their health status and risk perception that are fundamental to behavior change and (2) articulation between knowledge and cultural, social, economic and environmental aspects, such as access to basic health services, sanitation and education (Gastaldo 1997, Schall 1998, Barata et al 2002, Glanz et al 2002, Reis 2003, Gazzinelli et al 2005.…”

“…Most answers in both prevention and transmission in the pre-test were related to contact with polluted water and excreta in the stream being the word caramujo (snail) used several times and associated with schistosomiasis. Although most studies have found similar results, showing schistosomiasis as a water-borne disease that is contracted through contact with streams, they fail to describe snails as being part of the life cycle (Uchôa et al 2000, Gazzinelli et al 2002, Sow et al 2003.…”

“…Chemotherapy is still the main means of managing morbidity from schistosomiasis. However, the prevention of reinfection, the infection of others, and the reduction in the incidence of infection require that attention be given to socioeconomic, cognitive, behavioral, and other factors (Kloos 1995, Barbosa 1998, Uchôa et al 2000, Asaolu & Ofoezie 2003. Health education in conjunction with environmental sanitation and safe water supplies has been described as a potentially effective strategy in schistosomiasis control (Barbosa 1995, Coura 1995, Dias et al 1995, Kloos 1995, Schall 1998, 2002, Funasa 2002.…”

“…The social representation approach has been associated with increased individuals' conciousness about their autonomy in decision making and co-responsible, ethical, and positive behaviors that effectively contribute to the reduction of endemic diseases prevalences in several endemic areas in Brazil (Mhor & Schall 1992, Schall 1998, Dias 2000, Uchôa et al 2000, Reis 2003.…”

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

“…Appropriate language is essential to orient the influence that the universe of beliefs and values exerts on the relationship between information and behavior in any disease. Evaluation of the effectiveness of community mobilization for schistosomiasis control has shown that information provided to informants is often reinter-preted in light of existing beliefs (Uchoa et al, 2000). This paper does not analyze what readers actually understood, but what was offered to them for their comprehension.…”