Basic knowledge about visceral leishmaniasis before and after educational intervention among primary health care professionals in Midwestern Brazil

Health education and training of primary health care (PHC) professionals are highly recommended to reduce the occurrence and lethality of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This study assessed the impact of an educational intervention on the basic knowledge about visceral leishmaniasis (VL) among PHC professionals from the Brazilian municipality of Rondonopolis, an important endemic area for VL. Responses provided by physicians, nurses, nursing technicians and community health agents from 12 PHC facilities were recorded through the application of self-completed and semi-structured questionnaires before (n=92) and after (n=64) an in-person health training course covering various aspects of VL. Closed- and open-ended responses were compared by the chi-square test and analyses of word clouds, respectively. The proportion of professionals aware of the correct etiological agent (p<0.001) and transmission route (p<0.001) of VL increased post-intervention. In addition, they increased their ability to recognize fever (p<0.001), weakness (p<0.001), weight loss (p<0.001), pallor (p<0.001) and abdominal distention (p=0.013) as clinical manifestations of human VL, and weakness (p<0.001), alopecia (p<0.001) and weight loss (p=0.019) as signs of canine VL. Analyses of word clouds suggested that the participants became more aware of the role of dogs in VL transmission and the role of environmental management in the prevention of VL. In conclusion, the intervention positively impacted the baseline knowledge concerning VL among the professionals. This can support the planning of educational activities for the PHC team regarding early case detection, prevention and control of VL in endemic areas.