Studies undertaken by the SUCEN (Superintendency for the Control of Endemic Diseases) on the susceptibility of Aedes Aegypti to the insecticide normally used to fight this mosquito have identified the main problem as being the excessive use of chemical control causing environmental damage, and the reduction in educational activities. These studies have also showed that the inadequate use of the insecticide during a long period of time would jeopardize the sustainability of the fight against the mosquito. The current study intends to investigate the views of state and municipal health professionals that work on Aedes aegypti control, and the technical proposals of SUCEN, which, due to such studies, has removed the insecticide normally used in the control of mosquito larvae. The current qualitative-quantitative research was undertaken in five municipalities in the State of São Paulo. The method used was the Discourse of the Collective Subject. The conclusion was that the ideas and values that led SUCEN to suspend the use of the insecticide were present in the imaginary of the health professionals interviewed. Their ideas included toxicity, damage to the environment and to the health of staff, renewed appreciation of the relevance of mechanical vector control and the need to reinforce educational activities. Ideas opposing the policy were also found. These ideas show a strong belief in the use of insecticides and a skeptical view of educational activities.
Dengue-vector; Insecticide; Education; Evaluation of public policies
