[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.
División de Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). lizhamui@hotmail.com
Alicia
A
Hamui-Sutton
Haiko
H
Nellen-Hummel
Miguel Angel
MA
Fernández-Ortega
José
J
Halabe-Cherem
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia; D012961:Sociology