EDUCAÇÃO SANITÁRIA EM MISSÃO VELHA: APRENDENDO COMO PREVENIR A FILARIOSE LINFÁTICA

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.6662412041

• Palavras-chave: Filariose linfática, Zoonose, Infecção, Controle.

• Keywords: Filariose linfática, Zoonosis, Infection, Control.

• Abstract: Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic parasitic disease that affects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions, being considered one of the main causes of physical disability in the world. It is caused by the Wuchereria bancrofti worm and transmitted through the bite of the female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito infected with larvae of the parasite. The disease mainly affects the lymphatic system, resulting in chronic swelling of the arms, legs, genitals and trunk. The diagnosis is made through laboratory tests, the main ones being blood and antibody tests and as a treatment the Department of Health recommends the use of Diethylcarbamazine. In this context, the objective of this work is to raise awareness among the population of Missão Velha about the risks of lymphatic filariasis, as well as providing guidance on the best forms of prevention, through a literature review, with the help of an infographic containing information about this parasitic disease. The people approached in this study reported being afraid of becoming infected with a disease, as their homes always have a lot of dirty water accumulated from the rain, and for this reason, they are always using prophylactic methods to avoid becoming contaminated. Therefore, even if it is not intentional, they are also helping to eliminate the habitat of mosquitoes such as Culex and thus contribute to the prevention of lymphatic filariasis. Therefore, the importance of health education practices with the population is noted in order to provide knowledge about the prevention of parasitic diseases.