Visceral leishmaniasis is a serious disease and, when not diagnosed and treated in a
timely manner, its outcome can be fatal. The knowledge of factors associated with this
disease by health professionals is important and can help them in their fight. The
objective of this study was to verify the knowledge of health professionals about
visceral leishmaniasis in the city of Araguaína / TO. For this purpose, a cross-sectional
observational study was carried out, with the application of a questionnaire with
objective questions, some of which with multiple choices, whose content was related
to the vector and etiologic agent, to the transmission cycle, prophylaxis, diagnosis and
treatment of VL, in addition to questions related to the socioeconomic level of the
participants. A total of 321 professionals participated, of which 133 Agents of Combat
to Endemics (ACE), 131 Community Health Agents (ACS), 28 Nurses (E.), 21 Doctors
(M) and 8 Veterinarians (MV). The cut-off point for classifying the degree of knowledge
was calculated for groups of questions in each professional category using the ROC
curve. All the groups interviewed presented important knowledge related to visceral
leishmaniasis, however some answers related to the characteristics of the vector, the
location where the vector can be found during the day, the possibility of transmission
of the parasite in the first bite of the vector female, the leishmaniasis clinics, preventive
measures aimed at the human and the vector, signs and symptoms of LVH and
measures to control VL, did not obtain sufficient knowledge. The results prove the
capacity for diagnosis and guidance for disease control, but it is important to implement
training, training and continuing education, to overcome the few knowledge
deficiencies pointed out in this study.
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