Análise de necessidades de formação: uma prática reveladora de objetivos da formação docente

In recent years, in Brazil, researches in the area of education have been focused on the study of the necessities of formation, by the practice of necessity analysis, to subside the continued teacher formation programs. This research on the necessity of the formation of literacy teachers in the initial years of primary education originated in our discussions in academia, regarding the issues of retention and evasion related to basic literacy teaching in Brazilian public schools. We defined as a goal: to know the necessities of the formation of literacy teachers from Odila Leite Municipal Elementary School, Natal/RN, which focuses on the literacy teaching on that level of education and in Adult and Youth Education. The object is the necessities in these teachers formation. The thesis is that the literacy teacher reveals/constructs formation necessities when speaking of her practice, when exerting said practice or even when producing teaching materials which subside that practice; in other words, when making the theoretical/practical relation related to literacy teaching. The approach is qualitative, according to which the natural environment is the source for data collection; the focus of interest is the process of knowledge construction, and fundamental importance is given to the meanings constructed by the subjects. We comprehended that necessity is a socially constructed subjective phenomenon, and that necessity analysis allows the revelation of formation objectives. We used the case study as a methodological strategy which permits: studying a well-defined entity, [ ] as well as an academic institution; the global comprehension of the phenomenon of interest; discovering what is most essential and characteristic in the object. We counted with 17 teachers, 3 of which had their teaching practices observed. We observed the school routine, analyzed the main class documents and plans and interviewed the 17 teachers. We triangulated the data obtained by the routine observation, the observation of the three teachers practices and by the document analysis, next, we triangulated this data with the data from the analyzing the interviews with the 17 teachers. Such procedures reveal formation necessities in those teachers , such as: studying child cognitive development; reviewing the concepts of literacy teaching; reviewing fundaments of written language psychogenesis; reflecting on reading practices and literature; reflecting on the practice of daily planning; reflecting on the school s material conditions and the family/school relation. We concluded that researches of this nature contribute to the orientation of teacher formation programs

Necessidades de formação de professoras principiantes da educação infantil/pré-escola

This work arose from our concerns with the issues of teacher training for early childhood education. From the difficulties encountered as a novice teacher in elementary, we deem important to research training needs of these professionals. Thus, we define the objective of this research to investigate the training needs of novice teachers teaching Early Childhood Education/Elementary school. Our work fits in Educational Research Qualitative Approach, and its construction procedures of the semistructured interview data and document analysis. Our empirical field was made up of schools in the metropolitan region of Natal / RN, offering kindergarten / elementary school. The subjects are five teachers who act as holder of the elementary school class and have 0-3 years of teaching practice, characterizing the second Huberman (2007) as novice teachers. Data analysis, based on principles of content analysis, three themes emerged: Beginner Teaching Professor in Early Childhood Education / Preschool; Reasons explaining the difficulties Faculty / Formative Needs Teaching and Training in Early Childhood Education / Elementary school, from the Training Needs Analysis, with their respective categories, subcategories, contributing to our understanding of the subject matter. The entry into the profession is marked by mixed feelings of euphoria and fear, where there seems to be a "clash" with reality. The difficulties are related to the planning / execution of activities, meet the individual needs of learning and assessment of children. As a strategy to overcome the difficulties the teachers exercise the action-reflection-action in their practices and seek continuous updates in the theoretical and methodological framework of early childhood education. The reasons that define these difficulties may be related to the teacher, school, family, and students of these institutions. In experiencing these difficulties has outlined the need for teacher training, among which stand out studies on ethics in teaching with children, the concept of children and their childhoods, peculiarities of teaching / learning in preschool, toys and legal determinations on early childhood education, multi-language and expressions in early childhood education, specific content areas of knowledge, among others. Furthermore, studies on the theoretical as Piaget, Vigotsky, Maria Carmen Barbosa and Emily Smith. For these professionals to be a professional early childhood education is: like children, be patient and careful, have specific theoretical and practical training for teachers in kindergarten, being able to improvise with seriousness and competence and get updates on continuing education. The surveys, together with the authors and teachers, to confirm our understanding that the training needs of beginners may be related to shortcomings in the initial and continuing education

Narrativas de formação de professoras dos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental: Concepções e construções de necessidades formativas na Geografia Escolar

This article is about a study about the training needs for teachers of elementary school in the field of Geography. It is our objective to grasp their conceptions of training needs and reflect about their formative needs to teach geography. We consider the training as reflective process that involves the movement of changes and improvement beyond of formal learning, considering its numerous dimensions. We reflected about formative needs in light of the readings of Rodrigues Esteves (1993), Silva (2000), Roberts (2006), Vieira (2010). The discussions about conceptions were based on Ferreira (2007). The empirical reference constitutes to a private school in the city of Ceará-Mirim/RN, SECAT Centro de Ensino. The social subjects of our research are five teachers who work in the initial years of elementary school. We resorted a survey (auto) biographical, based on the studies of Passeggi (2011), Delory (2008), Bertaux (2010) e Josso (2010), since it is our intention to turn to the historicity of the subject and the learning, recognizing the links between him and the world and the experiences based on for learning and adult training. As technical and methodological procedure we will use the Training Narratives, whose application allows the understanding of memories and stories of schooling teachers, since are reported events occurred during the development of the individual through seminars Biographical. We observed on the narratives constructed by the teachers the absence assignments of meanings to a reworking of the theoretical formative needs and questions of its organizing principles. However, we notice the teachers were able to develop senses and means to conceive the phenomenon in study, in a descriptive way, through articulated enunciations, including aspects and opportunities linked to their teaching practices and future formative prospects. Regarding School Geography, we based our studies in the reflections of Smith Junior (1994, 2000), Tonini (2003), Vesentini (2004) and Vlach (1991), among others. We verified that the needs evidenced by the teachers to teach geography were constructed from the contexts of their teaching practices present in their school and professional trajectories. Therefore, we noticed the need for formal pedagogical qualification so that we can conceive the phenomenon in study beyond its descriptive character, understanding that it is necessary to point out reflections and questions about the dynamics of production of global capital, which conveys its interests in the contexts that often emerge formative needs of the educational system.

Redução de danos e o saber-fazer de profissionais de um CAPS ad em Natal-RN

The present study had as a main objective to analyze how the professionals at a CAPS ad unit in Natal-RN conceive the knowledge-practice process with regard to the Harm Reduction Policy (HRP) towards alcohol and other drugs. For the accomplishment of this proposal, it was intended: 1) Verifying the possibilities and limits of the HRP implementation at a CAPS ad unit in Natal-RN; 2) Relating the professionals knowledge at a CAPS ad unit in Natal in regard to the Harm Reduction Policy; 3) Enumerating the HRP programmatic actions at the institution. The research had exploratory, descriptive and qualitative approach aspects, guided by the concepts of biopower and self care proposed by Michel Foucault. Data collection occurred in June and July 2011, in which the focal group technique was used. After that, collect field material was analyzed through the content analysis method proposed by Minayo. The results showed some conceptual and practical approach between the harm reduction strategy and the knowledge-practice of the professionals at this CAPS ad unit. The discursive models about drug usage, especially the moral-legal model, still have a significant role in the daily lives of these professionals, being amplified by some demands of their jobs or even through the instituted discourse. The individuals recognize the need for less prohibited practices and more socializing ones, identifying them with the Harm Reduction (HR) logic, when there is a coherent and well-founded understanding about HR among the professionals. Distorted and reductionist views about HR as considering the simple instrumental function of this strategy (distribution of basic supplies) among the professionals, represent one of the main barriers for its implementation. There are few programmatic activities that are related to the RD strategy at this CAPS ad unit which makes a more effective appropriation by the working team difficult to reach. The working processes and the postures adopted by this CAP ad unit professionals have been showing that many of their practices and conceptions were modified to the detriment of new necessities emerged from the demands. Consequently, the self care notion is revealed which brings the need for the valorization of these care agents roles, that is, their collective and individual contribution.

Autoestima e qualidade de vida de pessoas com úlcera venosa atendidas na atenção primária

Venous ulcers (VU) is a chronic injury of the lower extremities and because of its high incidence and recurrence implies long and complex treatments, damaging the quality of life (QOL) and self-esteem (SE) of the people. This study aimed to analyze the association between self-esteem with the quality of life of people with venous ulcers treated in primary care. Cross sectional analytical study with a quantitative approach conducted with 44 people met with VU at 13 primary care units 2 and Mixed units in Natal/RN. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), CAAE: 07556312.0.0000.5537. Held data collection from February to April 2014 and used three instruments: a structured form covering sociodemographic, health care and clinical variables, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the SF-36. The collected data were entered into a database and processed on computerized software for descriptive and inferential analyzes. The results showed a predominance of people with UV females (65,9%), with more than 60 years (59,1%), married or in a stable relationship (52,3%), low education (86,4%) without occupation (68,2%) and less than one minimum wage income (81,8%). Regarding assistance characteristics was observed that most patients performed the dressing with appropriate material (72,7%), professional or trained caregiver (61,4%) did not use compression therapy (81,8%), treating the injury for more than 6 months (77,3%), lack of guidelines for the use of compression therapy, elevation of legs, and regular exercise (77,3%) and consulting the angiologist last year (52,3% ). Regarding clinical features of the lesion was found that most of the recurrent lesions are (77,3%), over one year of current lesion (52,3%) medium to large lesions (54,8%), without signs of infection (61,3%) and pain (79,5%). The mean SE of respondents was 9,3 (± 5,1). The relations between the SE and the sociodemographic variables, health care and clinics showed that individuals without a partner (a) (p = 0,01), who did not wear compression therapy (p = 0,04), with more 6 months of treatment (p = 0,01) and larger lesions (p = 0,01) had a lower SE. The mean domain and the dimensions of the SF-36 were lower emphasizing the functional capacity 36.5 (± 27,6) and the physical aspects of 15.3 (± 30,6). There were significant correlations between AE people with VU and the domains and dimensions of the SF-36: physical functioning (r = -0,432), general health (r = -0,415), vitality (r = -0,573), aspects social (r = -0,517), mental health (r = -0,612) and mental health dimensions (r = -0,612) and physical health (r = -0,473). Based on these results it is concluded by rejecting the null hypothesis and accept the alternative proposed in the study in which it was found that there is a negative correlation between the SE and the QOL of people with venous ulcers

Desenvolvimento de um modelo computacional para a ampliação do atendimento do Programa de Acessibilidade Especial Porta a Porta - PRAE

Worldwide, the demand for transportation services for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and persons with reduced mobility have increased in recent years. The population is aging, governments need to adapt to this reality, and this fact could mean business opportunities for companies. Within this context is inserted the Programa de Acessibilidade Especial porta a porta PRAE, a door to door public transportation service from the city of Natal-RN in Brazil. The research presented in this dissertation seeks to develop a programming model which can assist the process of decision making of managers of the shuttle. To that end, it was created an algorithm based on methods of generating approximate solutions known as heuristics. The purpose of the model is to increase the number of people served by the PRAE, given the available fleet, generating optimized schedules routes. The PRAE is a problem of vehicle routing and scheduling of dial-a-ride - DARP, the most complex type among the routing problems. The validation of the method of resolution was made by comparing the results derived by the model and the currently programming method. It is expected that the model is able to increase the current capacity of the service requests of transport

Desenvolvimento de uma cadeira de rodas robótica para transporte de portador de necessidades especiais

The objective of the dissertation was the realization of kinematic modeling of a robotic wheelchair using virtual chains, allowing the wheelchair modeling as a set of robotic manipulator arms forming a cooperative parallel kinematic chain. This document presents the development of a robotic wheelchair to transport people with special needs who overcomes obstacles like a street curb and barriers to accessibility in streets and avenues, including the study of assistive technology, parallel architecture, kinematics modeling, construction and assembly of the prototype robot with the completion of a checklist of problems and barriers to accessibility in several pathways, based on rules, ordinances and existing laws. As a result, simulations were performed on the chair in various states of operation to accomplish the task of going up and down stair with different measures, making the proportional control based on kinematics. To verify the simulated results we developed a prototype robotic wheelchair. This project was developed to provide a better quality of life for people with disabilities

A formação inicial do professor de química e o uso das novas tecnologias para o ensino: um olhar através de suas necessidades formativas

La disertación, desarrollada en el Programa de PostGraduación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales y de la Matemática de la UFRN, estudia las necesidades formativas de licenciandos en Química sobre el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y de las comunicaciones (NTIC), en especial, las relacionadas con la utilización de programas computacionales para la enseñanza de la química. En la actual sociedad del conocimiento, se torna imperativo la eclosión de nuevas formas de aprender y de enseñar, que requieren de nuevas concepciones del trabajo pedagógico. En ese sentido, se exige de los profesores el desarrollo de nuevas habilidades y competencias. El presente trabajo está comprometido con la búsqueda de elementos que puedan nortear los procesos formativos de profesores de química con el objetivo de contribuir con una mejor preparación de la formación inicial, tomando en cuenta sus necesidades de formación. Fue utilizado el cuestionario como instrumento de investigación para diagnosticar y caracterizar las necesidades fomativas, buscando establecer correlaciones entre diferentes variables que cacarterizan el estudio, con el fin de establecer semenazas y discrepancias entre las habilidades docentes en estudio y las necesidades formativas. Los analises de los datos tomo elementos de la estadistica descriptivo e inferencial, con analises multivariados, lo que posibilitó identificar las necesidades formativas. Los resultados muestran ue de forma general los licenciandos evaluan como de bajo, el grado de desarrollo de las habilidades para enseñar usando las NTIC, así como manifiestan sentir necesidades formativas en todas las habilidades referentes a esa esfera del trabajo docente

Análise de necessidades de inglês para fins específicos em um curso de graduação em turismo

This study presents the results of a survey conducted in the area of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in order to identify (1) the learning needs of students in a course in Tourism, their desires and lacks, at a federal university, with respect to use of English; (2) the needs of the present situation of teachers and the coordinator of that course as to the language; (3) the needs of the target situation of professionals (graduates) and companies with respect to this language. This research is a case study (STAKE, 1998; YIN, 2009) and was used for data collection, instruments such as questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document on the Tourism Course. To this end, it was adopted the theoretical basis for the constructs of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Inglês para Fins Específicos (IFE) in Brazil, also known as Inglês Instrumental, whose foundation is based on the work by Hutchinson and Waters (1987), Robinson (1991), Dudley-Evans and St. John (1998), Celani, Deyes, Holmes, Scott (2006), among others, since this work is devoted to a specific area, Tourism. Results show that students opined the ability to prioritize reading and speaking into the classroom. Professionals reported that the latter is an indispensable tool for entering the labor market, yet they feel unprepared and need to attend English language courses in private language schools. The testimony of company executives also point to this deficiency. Finally, the present situation of teachers reveals that, while advocating the use of English in the classroom, this is not because students prefer their mother tongue. There is also an evident lack of needs analysis. Eventually, the coordinator said that there is some uncertainty as to the methodology, content and language skills worked, and the lack of interaction among teachers of English. It was concluded, therefore, it is important to conduct a needs analysis so that one can redesign a course that meets the different contextual needs: students, teachers, coordination, represented by the institutional needs, and the labor market

Impacto sócio-dentário das oclusopatias e suas respectivas necessidades de tratamento na qualidade de vida de adolescentes

Nas últimas décadas, com a significativa redução da cárie dentária em crianças e adolescentes, uma maior atenção tem sido dada a outros problemas bucais como as oclusopatias. Em termos epidemiológicos no Brasil, esta tem ocupado o terceiro lugar dentre os problemas de saúde oral na população e, portanto, a inclusão destas como um problema de saúde pública se deve não apenas à sua alta prevalência, mas também ao impacto social, que interfere diretamente na qualidade de vida das pessoas. Diante do exposto é que este estudo objetiva buscar o impacto da presença e severidade das oclusopatias e suas respectivas necessidades de tratamento na qualidade de vida de adolescentes escolares de um município. Sendo assim, foram examinados 356 escolares na faixa etária de 15 -19 anos e determinadas a prevalência, severidade e necessidade de tratamento de oclusopatias através dos índices DAI, IOTN e ICON. O impacto sócio dentário das oclusopatias na qualidade de vida dos adolescentes foi analisado através do índice CS-OIDP. A fim de se verificar possíveis influências de variáveis estudadas na determinaçao do impacto na qualidade de vida das oclusopatias, estas serão coletadas através do estatus sócio-econômico, gênero, idade e tipo escola. Nos resultados parciais, relacionado a 50% da amostra, se observou uma maior prevalência do escolares de escola pública(68,1%), idade entre 15-16 anos(74,7%), gênero feminino(52,7%) e maior prevalência do SES baixo(77,5%). A análise estatística usando o teste qui-quadrado mostrou uma associação significativa do impacto da oclusopatia na qualidade de vida apenas quando avaliada com o índice ICON e o A-IOTN do examinado, comprovando uma associação da necessidade de tratamento com a presença do impacto na qualidade de vida. Com isso, busca-se comprovar e enfatizar a necessidade de se estabelecer políticas públicas que trabalhem na prevenção e interceptação dessas oclusopatias na população, melhorando, portanto, a qualidade de vida e saúde oral dos adolescentes.

Impacto sócio-dentário das ocusopatias e suas respectivas necessidades de tratamento na qualidade de vida de adolescentes

Nas últimas décadas, com a significativa redução da cárie dentária em crianças e adolescentes, uma maior atenção tem sido dada a outros problemas bucais como as oclusopatias. Em termos epidemiológicos no Brasil, esta tem ocupado o terceiro lugar dentre os problemas de saúde oral na população e, portanto, a inclusão destas como um problema de saúde pública se deve não apenas à sua alta prevalência, mas também ao impacto social, que interfere diretamente na qualidade de vida das pessoas. Diante do exposto é que este estudo objetiva buscar o impacto da presença e severidade das oclusopatias e suas respectivas necessidades de tratamento na qualidade de vida de adolescentes escolares de um município. Sendo assim, foram examinados 356 escolares na faixa etária de 15 -19 anos e determinadas a prevalência, severidade e necessidade de tratamento de oclusopatias através dos índices DAI, IOTN e ICON. O impacto sócio dentário das oclusopatias na qualidade de vida dos adolescentes foi analisado através do índice CS-OIDP. A fim de se verificar possíveis influências de variáveis estudadas na determinaçao do impacto na qualidade de vida das oclusopatias, estas serão coletadas através do estatus sócio-econômico, gênero, idade e tipo escola. Nos resultados parciais, relacionado a 50% da amostra, se observou uma maior prevalência do escolares de escola pública(68,1%), idade entre 15-16 anos(74,7%), gênero feminino(52,7%) e maior prevalência do SES baixo(77,5%). A análise estatística usando o teste qui-quadrado mostrou uma associação significativa do impacto da oclusopatia na qualidade de vida apenas quando avaliada com o índice ICON e o A-IOTN do examinado, comprovando uma associação da necessidade de tratamento com a presença do impacto na qualidade de vida. Com isso, busca-se comprovar e enfatizar a necessidade de se estabelecer políticas públicas que trabalhem na prevenção e interceptação dessas oclusopatias na população, melhorando, portanto, a qualidade de vida e saúde oral dos adolescentes.

Avaliação clínica da saúde bucal de crianças com neoplasias malignas atendidas no Hospital Infantil Varela Santiago em Natal-RN

The childhood cancer is characterized by a predominance of hematogenic and lymphatic system neoplasm, although a fTequency of the central nervous system tumors and sarcomas are widely common. Particularities of many childhood cancers and the adverses effect of the antineoplastic agents can change radically the oral environrnent and predisposes to the risk of oral complications. This study assessment clinically the oral health of 40 children on treatment for different types of malignant neoplasm with age range of O to 1S years old (Group I) and compared to 38 nonnal children in the same age range (Group lI). The results shown that nonnal patients had a gingival bleeding index (GBI) and caries experience minar than patients of Group lI, the visivel plaque index (VPI) was lightly higher in patients of Group 1. There was not difference statistically significant in the variables. Sixteen patients of Group I developed together 61 oral complications with predominance of mucositis, followed by spontaneous oral bleeding, candidiasis and xerostomy, that complication were most commons in patients with systemic neoplasm. Its was concluded that patients submitted to antineoplastic therapy with poor oral health had a higher risk to develop oral complications

Disfunção sexual feminina e níveis dos hormônios esteroidais em mulheres obesas atendidas no ambulatório de cirurgia bariátrica do hospital universitário Onofre Lopes em Natal/RN

A disfunção sexual corresponde a alterações em uma ou mais fases da resposta sexual humana e apresenta maior prevalência na população feminina. Ademais, a participação de alguns fatores como obesidade e níveis dos hormônios esteroidais na disfunção sexual feminina (DSF) permanece incerta. O presente estudo deteve-se na análise da ocorrência de DSF numa população de mulheres portadoras de obesidade, cadastradas no Ambulatório de Cirurgia Bariátrica do Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes, da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, no município de Natal, RN. O estudo foi realizado em uma amostra composta por trinta e uma mulheres, com idade entre 20 e 50 anos, com índice de massa corpórea (IMC) > 30 Kg/m2. A todas as pacientes foi aplicado um questionário composto por uma seção com dados socio-econômicos, e outra abordando a saúde sexual feminina, sendo esta última correspondente ao Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), para diagnóstico de DSF. A partir dessa caracterização, as pacientes foram reunidas nos grupos CD (pacientes com disfunção, n= 9) e SD (sem disfunção, n= 22). Para a análise do efeito da obesidade na DSF, as pacientes foram reunidas nos grupos 1 (6 pacientes com IMC grau I e II: entre 30 e 40 Kg/m2) e 2 (25 com IMC grau III: acima de 40). Para o estudo da participação dos hormônios esteroidais foram determinadas as concentrações séricas de cortisol, estradiol e dehidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) pelo método de quimiluminescência. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada usando os testes ANOVA, MANOVA (Pillai), além de análise de Cluster. Para identificar as diferenças entre os domínios do FSFI, foi usado o teste T de Student. A significância considerada para todos os testes foi para p< 0,01. Das pacientes estudadas, 25,8% apresentaram DSF de acordo com o escore total do FSFI. A análise estatística posterior evidenciou que as diferenças ocorreram para os domínios desejo, excitação e orgasmo. Não foi encontrada relação da presença de DSF com os diferentes graus de obesidade ou com os níveis hormonais dos esteróides cortisol, estradiol ou DHEA. Contudo, foi encontrado aumento significativo nos níveis séricos de estradiol para o grupo 1, que corresponde ao de menor índice de IMC. Estes resultados mostram que a prevalência de DSF não diferiu entre os graus I,II e III de obesidade das pacientes deste estudo mas, quando presente, a disfunção ocorre nos domínios desejo, excitação e orgasmo. A maior concentração de estradiol encontrada nas pacientes de menor índice de IMC sugere uma possível relação entre as duas variáveis que precisa ser investigada em estudos futuros.

Tvoice :um sistema de manipulação de linguagens para auxiliar portadores de necessidades especiais através da web

This work presents the tVoice, software that manipulates tags languages, extracting information and, being integral part of the VoiceProxy system, it aids bearers of special needs in the access to the Web. This system is responsible for the search and treatment of the documents in the Web, extracting the textual information contained in those documents and preceding the capability of generating eventually through translation techniques, an audio script, used by the of interface subsystem of VoiceProxy, the iVoice, in the process of voice synthesis. In this stage the tVoice, besides the treatment of the tag language HTML, processes other two formats of documents, PDF and XHTML. Additionally to allow that, besides the iVoice, other interface subsystems can make use of the tVoice through remote access, we propose distribution systems techniques based in the model Client-Server providers operations of the fashion of a proxy server treatment of documents

Estudo epidemiológico da Toxoplasmose em gestantes atendidas na Maternidade Escola Januário Cicco, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte

Congenital Toxoplasmosis results in severe systemic disease. If mother is infected for the first time during gestation, she can infect the fetus causing substantial damage. However, relatively little is known about the seroprevalence and epidemiological and economic factors of Toxoplasmosis infection in pregnancy in the most state in northeastern Brazil and knowledge about this can be essential in determining effective and acceptable prevention strategies. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis in pregnant woman consulted by reference Maternity Escola Januário Cicco in Natal, a city in Northeastern Brazil, which belongs to the public health system, correlating to the risk factors involved in the infection and to accomplish active Search in the Hospital of Pediatrics Profº Heriberto Bezerra of the damages caused by the Toxoplasmic infection in children up to 12 years of age. The study was conducted from March to December 2007 and sera obtained from 190 pregnant women were tested for IgM and IgG antibodies avidity to Toxoplasma by Microparticle enzyme immunoassay (Abbott AxSYM system - Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA). Data were examined with univariate analysis. Chi-squared (x2) and Odds ratio was calculated (IC 95% p 0,05). Of these women, 126 (66,3%) had only IgG antibodies high-avidity against T. gondii; 01 (0,52%) had a IgM and IgG high-avidity antibodies against T. gondii and 63 (33,1%) have neither IgM nor IgG against T. gondii. Our studies shown that the direct contact with cats or dogs was highly associated with the Toxoplasma gondii infection (OR, 2.72, p<0.001, 95% CI 1.46 5.02). The years school (p<0,001), socioeconomic status and knowledge about the disease (both p value 0.05) also were associated with Toxoplasmosis. The pattern of risk factors for infection presents regional variations, however our data corroborate others studies in Brazil. In children up to 12 years, one case of Congenital Toxoplasmosis was just registered in seven years (2000 - 2006). There were several suggestive cases, with signs and characteristic symptoms, but that the infection was not confirmed due to lack in the researches through laboratorial and images exams that addressed that it zoonosis