Conhecimento dos agentes promotores de saúde que atuam na esfera pública e privada acerca da leishmaniose visceral no município de Araguaína-TO

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a serious disease and, when not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, its outcome can be fatal. The knowledge of factors associated with this disease by health professionals is important and can help them in their fight. The objective of this study was to verify the knowledge of health professionals about visceral leishmaniasis in the city of Araguaína / TO. For this purpose, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out, with the application of a questionnaire with objective questions, some of which with multiple choices, whose content was related to the vector and etiologic agent, to the transmission cycle, prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of VL, in addition to questions related to the socioeconomic level of the participants. A total of 321 professionals participated, of which 133 Agents of Combat to Endemics (ACE), 131 Community Health Agents (ACS), 28 Nurses (E.), 21 Doctors (M) and 8 Veterinarians (MV). The cut-off point for classifying the degree of knowledge was calculated for groups of questions in each professional category using the ROC curve. All the groups interviewed presented important knowledge related to visceral leishmaniasis, however some answers related to the characteristics of the vector, the location where the vector can be found during the day, the possibility of transmission of the parasite in the first bite of the vector female, the leishmaniasis clinics, preventive measures aimed at the human and the vector, signs and symptoms of LVH and measures to control VL, did not obtain sufficient knowledge. The results prove the capacity for diagnosis and guidance for disease control, but it is important to implement training, training and continuing education, to overcome the few knowledge deficiencies pointed out in this study.