Abstract

FONTE GALINDO, Luis et al. Knowledge, perceptions and practices related to giardiasis. Rev cubana med [online]. 2009, vol.48, n.4, pp. 173-181. ISSN 1561-302X.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the knowledges, perceptions and practices of clinicians from Playa, Lisa and Marianao municipalities related to Giardia lamblia infection. METHODS: subject to informed consent from clinicians provided services in polyclinic and hospital network of above mentioned municipalities during the research period (89 of 103), we applied a survey on knowledges, perceptions and practices related to this parasitosis. Survey preparation had 4 phases: Interviews to diagnosis-related physicians, giardiasis treatment and control; Preparation of preliminary questionnaire based on results from those interviews; Instrument submission to expert criteria and its validation according to its application to a small group of physicians. RESULTS: we evidenced that in relation with giardiasis and particularly, with skin manifestations associated with it, clinicians of mentioned municipalities had insufficient knowledges (from 19 question marks assessing cognitive features, mean of correct answers among the participants was of 7.46), inappropriate perceptions and wrong practices. CONCLUSIONS: it is necessary an academic intervention emphasizing in formative features related to parasitic diseases in general and the giardiasis in particular.

Keywords : Giardiasis; Giardia lamblia; extra-intestinal manifestations; skin manifestations; knowledges; perceptions and practices.