[Pneumonia and its social representations].
OBJECTIVE
To correlate the sociostructural variables with the knowledge about pneumonia and to explore the social representations about the etiology, prevention, development and treatment in poor communities.


METHODS
A survey in 848 adults from seven Rural Health Centers affiliated to IMSS-Oportunidades Program in four States, was carried out.


RESULTS
One-third of the sample did not understand the term pneumonia; 35 % of the patients with risk factors did not know its etiology; 43 % did not know about associated complications but 85 % considered that it causes death. The use of antibiotics was recognized as a therapeutic measure by 78 % and 20 % did not know how to prevent pneumonia.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings showed a positive attitude to immunization but inadequate information about respiratory diseases. In neighborhoods with insufficient public services (purified water, electricity and paved roads) the ignorance about pneumonia tended to increase.
Hamui-Sutton
Alicia
A
División de Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). lizhamui@hotmail.com
Nellen-Hummel
Haiko
H
Fernández-Ortega
Miguel Angel
MA
Halabe-Cherem
José
J
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia; D012961:Sociology