Avaliação do grau de conhecimento sobre Leishmaniose e Toxoplasmose em moradores do município de Araçatuba, SP

Considering the importance of zoonotic infections by Leishmania spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in Araçatuba region, São Paulo, this study determined the degree of knowledge of residents of Araçatuba about these two diseases. Questionnaires about these diseases were applied to 123 people. Regarding schooling, all the respondents were literate, and 69.9% (86/123) did not attend higher education and 30.8% (37/123) completed an undergraduate degree. Of these, 91.9% (34/37) knew the meaning of the term zoonosis, with significant difference compared to those who were not trained. This word was unknown by 57% (29/123) of total respondents. Most non-graduates, 59.3% (51/86) did not know what is toxoplasmosis and among graduates, 35.1% (13/37) ignored the subject.There were significant difference between these groups. Regarding the prevention of Leishmania infection, a greater proportion of the residents advocated environmental cleanup, the collar repellent and use of citronella. In relation to toxoplasmosis, 54.5% did not know the ways of transmission of this disease and among those with graduate degree, 13 ignoring any transmission medium. When it comes to prevention of this disease, 55.3% (68/123) did not know any prophylactic. In the group of higher education, 14 did not know how to prevent toxoplasmosis. The results of this study show that the majority of respondents are not aware about the mode of transmission of these diseases, especially in relation to toxoplasmosis.