Conhecimento sobre leishmaniose visceral e prática das medidas de prevenção e controle por proprietários de cães em Belo Horizonte, 2010/2011

Abstract

Was aimed to verify the knowledge about VL by owners of seronegative (PCsN) and seropositive (PCsP) dogs and their attitudes/practices concerning disease prevention and control. A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was made through interviews with 50 PCsP and 50 PCsN. Data were analyzed through univariate statistic - Epi Info 6.0. Results indicate little knowledge about VL clinical signs and prevention/control measures directed towards humans and vector and the preventive practices done were little expressive. Veterinarians and radio/television were the main mediators of information on VL. Variables that had positive association with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) were: knowing that dog may contract CVL and that emaciation is a clinical sign of CVL, have performed only one previous test on dog and have done changes at home after CVL test. Variables that had a negative association to the CVL were: to know about hepatosplenomegaly, have radio/TV as a source of knowledge on disease and to consider dog as family. The percentage of PCsP who decided to euthanize their dogs was the same as those chose to treat. Time elapsed between diagnosis and euthanasia was up to 21 days (65%) and it was held mostly in private clinics (80%). Only 48% wore collar with the insecticide in dogs that were not euthanized, to prevent infectivity to the vector. Most of PCsN reported that if dogs were seropositive, they would treat them (58%) instead of euthanizing (40%). There is need to intensify actions of health education about VL. Despite the prohibition for VCL treatment in Brazil many PCsP are doing it motivated by affection towards the dog and under veterinarian recommendation.