Leishmaniose visceral: conhecimento dos profissionais de saúde no município de Palmas-TO

Abstract

At the beginning of the last century, Brazil faced precarious industrialization, with economic and social challenges. As a developing country, it deals with high rates of Visceral Leishmaniasis, a zoonosis that mainly affects people living in poverty. The northern region of our country, especially Tocantins and the municipality of Palmas, have considerable rates of this disease. Primary care health professionals play a crucial role in the prevention and control of this endemic disease, but studies have shown the inability of health unit teams to make early diagnoses, highlighting the need for evidence-based strategic actions. Assessing the knowledge of these teams is essential for combating the disease, especially in regions with few studies on the subject. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge of health professionals from Family Health teams in relation to Visceral Leishmaniasis in the municipality of Palmas-TO. The observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2023 and covered 115 health workers in 19 Basic Health Units in the 7 health territories in the urban area of the capital, with participants selected by convenience sampling. The teams were made aware of the research and the volunteers were informed orally and through visual support. A sociodemographic questionnaire and a specific questionnaire on knowledge of Visceral Leishmaniasis were used, which were developed by the researcher herself and distributed physically (paper) and digitally (Google Forms) in short meetings, predominantly at team meetings in the selected units. The study assessed the knowledge of primary health care professionals and stands out as one of the few studies of its kind in the region. It also provided a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological panorama of Visceral Leishmaniasis in the city, giving a picture of the health service, the sociodemographic profile of the professionals studied and their level of knowledge about Visceral Leishmaniasis. Despite the significant prevalence of knowledge among professionals about the disease, especially clinical manifestations, transmission and preventive measures, gaps were identified in areas such as treatment and service practices. Participation in Permanent Education or Continuing Education programs was significantly associated with knowledge about Visceral Leishmaniasis, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives. In addition, an instructional booklet was developed for health professionals in the municipality to fill the gaps identified. The study made a significant contribution to the health service in Palmas, offering subsidies for improving primary care, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and encouraging research in the area. The results have the potential to support the construction of quality primary care throughout Brazil, strengthening the Unified Health System and promoting progress in understanding and health practices related to Visceral Leishmaniasis.