The content related to Leishmaniasis in science and biology textbooks indicated by the Brazilian Didactic Book National Program - PNLD/2008 and PNLEM/2009 - was analyzed. The analysis criteria reported to the social commitment, to the relation between health and environment, to the scientific quality, to the correction of concepts and illustrations. Seven of the 13 science books indicated by the PNLD/2008 and all of the nine PNLEM/2009 biology books were analyzed; these were adopted in Brazilian public schools from 2008 to 2011. All books presented scientific inaccuracies, decontextualized language and information gaps, making it unfavorable for teachers and students to construct the knowledge and establish relationships with historical, sociocultural and economic issues related to the diseases analyzed. These findings associated with similar data from the literature leads to the proposition that the health issue should be treated separately, being as specific volume, considering its transversality and potential to establish a dialogue for a citizenship education.
Leishmaniasis; Health education; Didactic book; Science education
