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The purpose of the study was to evaluate knowledge about visceral leishmaniasis in the communities of La Guardia and La Pista, Diaz and Gomez Municipalities, Margarita Island, State of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. The selection was based on different socio-demographic factors, disease incidence and the fact that they had been intervened by the control program in 1998-2000. The head of each of 60 households selected by simple random sampling was interviewed to determine knowledge about the disease and preventive measures. Collected data were systematized in an Excel-type data base and analyzed with Epi-info 2000 to determine knowledge about the disease and preventive measures. Results: The educational strategies applied in the two communities did not generate a significant impact in terms of knowledge about and preventive measures for this endemic disease; data only reflected a higher proportion of interviewees in La Pista that knew about the disease. Conclusions: The importance of studying the socio-cultural profile in the communities is emphasized to obtain a base line for the management and sustainability of educational programs about prevention and control of visceral leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]