Abstract
Background:
In Brazil, entomological surveillance of Chagas disease (ChD) is based on community participation, which notifies the presence of vectors inside their homes. Thus, the sustainability of this control measure depends on the knowledge of the population about the vectors.
Objective:
To evaluate the knowledge of schoolchildren about ChD in the municipalities of Itatiaiuçu (active surveillance) and Sabará (inactive surveillance).
Method:
A semi-structured questionnaire was given to students enrolled in two high schools in Sabará (rural and urban) and one in Itatiaiuçu (urban).
Results:
In general, students living in Sabará demonstrated only limited knowledge about vectors, pathogens, transmission, and disease (with no significant differences between the schools in urban and rural areas). Similarly, the schoolchildren in Itatiaiuçu, despite living in an area of active surveillance, also did not have a fully satisfactory knowledge of ChD.
Conclusions:
The results emphasize the lack of information about ChD, both in relation to academic knowledge and the education campaigns established by the program. Improvements in educational interventions to raise community awareness and promote knowledge about ChD are necessary and vital for maintaining vigilance against ChD over space and time.
Keywords:
Chagas disease; Triatominae; vector control of diseases; public health surveillance; health education
Thumbnail
