Population knowledge about Leishmaniosis in dogs in endemic áreas

Abstract

This study aimed to demonstrate the level of population knowledge about Leishmaniasis in dogs in endemic areas. The work consisted of applying a questionnaire directly and over the internet to people living in cities in northern Minas Gerais, with 16 multiple choice questions, asking about personal data, knowledge of Leishmaniasis, the form of infection, symptomatology, infection control, and disease prevention. A total of 1,234 people were part of the study. The Chi-square test showed a significant difference (p <0.05) for all the questions made. Most of the studied population consisted of individuals aged up to 25 years, with complete high school and remuneration range of 1 minimum salary, and most of them had dogs. Most respondents are unaware that they live in an endemic area of the disease, however, correctly indicating the vector of this zoonosis. Regarding the form of proliferation, symptomatology, control, and prevention, the majority of the population does not know the correct and most effective ways to perform them. In this study, it was found that the knowledge by the population in question is superficial, hindering the effective control of the disease.