Health education in chagas disease control: making an educational video

Several studies have shown that the population has relatively little information regarding Chagas disease (CD) and its vectors; however, this knowledge is relevant because community participation is vital for success in disease control actions. For this reason, and due to the lack of audiovisual material on this subject in the country, this study focused on making an educational documentary on CD and its vectors, which could be available to the population for free. The video preparation was divided into three phases: Pre-production, Production and Post-production. The site chosen for shooting was northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State due to the Triatoma infestans vector persistence in recent decades in that area. A documentary was obtained which addresses relevant CD aspects, such as its history, transmission, major vectors and biology, phases of the disease and, in particular, how to inspect the intra-domiciliary and peri-domiciliary areas in search of triatomine bugs or "kissing bugs". The use of videos as an educational tool helps broadcast information; therefore, this documentary is a public use tool, which aims to promote the control and prophylaxis of CD and its vectors.

Assessment of the housing improvement program for chagas disease control in the northwestern municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The Housing Improvement Program for Chagas Disease Control (HIPCDC) was established in 2001 in Northwestern Rio Grande do Sul State, aiming to improve the conditions of the domiciliary and peridomiciliary environments to make them resistant to triatomine colonization. This study aimed to assess the impact of the HIPCDC on triatomine control by developing local population and authority awareness on the issue. METHODS: The study was conducted by means of questionnaires applied to local authorities and the program beneficiaries. Three municipalities - Ajuricaba, Coronel Barros, and Crissiumal - were visited. RESULTS: A program coordinator from each municipality and 62 individuals from selected households were interviewed. The authorities reported difficulties in the implementation of the program due to differences between the project development period and financial resource availability, in addition to a lack of understanding by the community not included in the program. As for the houses, most improvements were made in the peridomiciliary environments; moreover, construction of 4 new residences, as well as the renovation of others, was also reported. Regarding suggestions to the program, requests for better planning (44.9%) and renovation quality (36.7%) were highlighted. With reference to the presence of triatomine bugs, prior to the HIPCDC adaptations, 12.9% of the respondents reported coming across at least one specimen at home, as compared to 22.6% who found these insects in peridomiciliary areas. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reports of difficulties in carrying out the HIPCDC, there was an improvement in the housing conditions, with no triatomine occurrence reports after the program implementation.