Nível de conhecimento das famílias e profissionais de saúde sobre zoonoses parasitárias em uma cidade no Cariri Paraibano.

Abstract

Level of knowledge of families and health professionals on parasitic zoonoses in a city of Cariri. The growing number of pets in urban areas, mainly dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus), results in close contact with these animals man, increasing their exposure to zoonoses. Zoonoses are diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans. deficiency of public health education programs complicates the perception and understanding, especially in poor communities, about the health risks to which people and animals are exposed. Because of its importance, both from a social point of view and from an economic point of view, it is necessary to adopt measures to minimize inconvenience by applying appropriate methods for the prevention, control or eradication of these diseases So knowing the need for assessment of the population's knowledge about zoonoses, this study aimed to evaluate the degree of knowledge of the population of a city of Cariri, on the main parasitic zoonoses transmitted by dogs. For this study were questionnaires to users and health professionals from two FHP in a city of Paraiba cariri. It was found that users do not know what they are zoonoses, when used the technical term and do not know what the procedure to be performed when the animal is afflicted with a disease and that health professionals do not have enough knowledge to guide users on zoonoses. With this, one can conclude that health professionals in the city studied require training on zoonoses, risks, treatments and preventive measures.