Solange Aline de Carvalho and Guilherme Malafaia
Objective: The present study was carried out to identify perceptions and knowledge on the major intestinal parasites that affect adolescents (ascariasis, giardiasis and trichuriasis), and to assess their knowledge about the modes of transmission, prevention and the main vehicles of information used by these adolescents to obtain knowledge about these parasites.
Methods: For data collection, an investigative questionnaire was applied to high-school students, which sought to evaluate the level of their knowledge about the parasites mentioned, ways of transmission, preventive measures and the sources of information to obtain such knowledge.
Results: A population of 160 high-school students from technical courses of a federal education institute in Urutaí (Goiás State – Brazil) participated in the study. The analysis showed that, in general, adolescents are unaware or have little knowledge about the parasites investigated. Low levels of knowledge about modes of transmission and preventive measures were attested. Regarding sources of the information, the contents dealt with by teachers throughout life and cases experienced and socialized in the family, among relatives and/or friends were the most cited.
Conclusion: The study suggests the need to develop educational activities that promote, among students, theacquisition of knowledge to promote their own health.
