title: Dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families: a sustainable model for controlling the disease.
abstract: A model for the dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families was evaluated in two schools in Caeté, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Age ranged from 9 to 17 years in the two schools, one receiving the intervention (with 92 students) and the other serving as the control (96 students). All the students attended a class and received a pamphlet on visceral leishmaniasis. The intervention consisted of a homework assignment in which the student discussed the class content and pamphlet with a family member. Knowledge by family members (n = 100) on visceral leishmaniasis was evaluated with a pre and post-intervention questionnaire applied by a health agent, who also completed a form on hygiene around the household as observed during the home visit. A significant improvement was observed in knowledge and hygiene (e.g., sweeping of leaves, fruit, and branches from the yards) among the families that were exposed to the intervention (p < 0.05). The spread of information on visceral leishmaniasis by schoolchildren can contribute to measures for preventing the disease.
authors: Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
authors: Danielle Ferreira
authors: DF
authors: de Magalhães
authors: José Ailton
authors: JA
authors: da Silva
authors: João Paulo Amaral
authors: JP
authors: Haddad
authors: Elvio Carlos
authors: EC
authors: Moreira
authors: Maria Isabel Magalhães
authors: MI
authors: Fonseca
authors: Marina Lúcia Lima
authors: ML
authors: de Ornelas
authors: Barbara Kellen Antunes
authors: BK
authors: Borges
authors: Zélia Maria Profeta
authors: ZM
authors: da Luz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010174:Pamphlets; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires