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This study evaluated the animal presence in dwellings and the risk for transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2006. A case-control study was conducted by means of dwelling visits, direct interviews, and image register in the houses. The risk estimates were produced comparing the dwelling condition between two groups: 1) 82 human cases of VL recorded in 2004; and 2) 164 controls (neighbors of the first). The cases presented a higher proportion in the animal presence compared to controls. Using an unconditional logistic regression, it was selected the presence of ducks with an OR of 4.18 (CI 95% - 0.74 to 23.32); rodents with an OR of 1.81 (CI 95% - 0.96 to 3.39); birds with an OR of 1.56 (CI 95% - 0.90 to 2.69), and chicken with an OR of 1.47 (CI 95% - 0.74 to 2.90). The owners of dogs were 2.17 more likely to have VL than those who did not have dogs, and this estimate increased with the number of dogs in the house. For those who had only one dog, the OR was 1.87, while for those who owned two dogs at home, the OR increased to 3.36; when compared to people who did not own those animals.

A model for the dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families was evaluated in two schools in Caeté, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Age ranged from 9 to 17 years in the two schools, one receiving the intervention (with 92 students) and the other serving as the control (96 students). All the students attended a class and received a pamphlet on visceral leishmaniasis. The intervention consisted of a homework assignment in which the student discussed the class content and pamphlet with a family member. Knowledge by family members (n = 100) on visceral leishmaniasis was evaluated with a pre and post-intervention questionnaire applied by a health agent, who also completed a form on hygiene around the household as observed during the home visit. A significant improvement was observed in knowledge and hygiene (e.g., sweeping of leaves, fruit, and branches from the yards) among the families that were exposed to the intervention (p < 0.05). The spread of information on visceral leishmaniasis by schoolchildren can contribute to measures for preventing the disease.

A Leishmaniose visceral (LV) é um problema de saúde pública em centros urbanos. O trabalho objetivou analisar os fatores de risco envolvidos com os perfis sorológicos da LV em cães (LVC) de Montes Claros. Foi realizado estudo transversal com 360 cães, examinados pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses local, no período de setembro de 2008 a março de 2009. Entrevistas domiciliares com proprietários dos cães e pontuação geográfica das residências com uso do Sistema de Posicionamento GPS foram realizadas, bem como, análises descritivas, regressão logística e de varredura de aglomerados. O estudo amostrou em 78 bairros da cidade. Os proprietários de cães negativos apresentaram melhores índices de escolaridade. Em 64,7% das moradias havia pelo menos 2 cães, o que aumentou o risco de infecção canina em 1,77 vezes. Casas visitadas por cães errantes tiveram risco aumentado de LVC em 7,67 vezes. Praticar algum controle perante LV minimizou o risco de LVC em 9,52 vezes. O grupo dos positivos deteve as piores habitações. Cães que permaneciam em quintais não cimentados tinham 3,38 vezes mais chance de ter LVC e para cães que habitam residências em ruas não asfaltadas (4,29 vezes). A análise espacial encontrou 5 clusters. Na região sudeste da cidade, verificou-se maior possibilidade do cão ser sorologicamente negativo (4,56 vezes). No entanto, nas regiões sudoeste, central e norte o maior risco era do animal ser indeterminado nos testes (3,02, 2,2 e 1,89 vezes, respectivamente) e que o risco de LVC era maior nas regiões sul e norte (1,89 e 1,56 vezes, respectivamente). The visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health problem in urban centers. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors involved with the serologic profiles of LV in dogs (LVC) of Montes Claros. Cross-sectional study was carried out with 360 dogs, examined by the Zoonoses Control Center location in the period from September 2008 to March 2009. Interviews with owners of dogs and geographical score of residences with use of Positioning System - GPS were performed, as well as, descriptive analyzes, logistic regression and sweep of agglomerates. The study were sampled in 78 districts of the city. The owners of dogs had negative best indices of schooling. In 64.7% of homes had at least 2 dogs, which increased the risk of canine infection at 1.77 times. Homes visited by stray dogs had increased risk of CVL at 7.67 times. Practicing some control before LV minimized the risk of CVL at 9.52 times. The group of positive arrested the worst dwellings. Dogs that remained in backyards not cemented had 3.38 times more likely to have LVC and for dogs that inhabit dwellings not paved streets (4.29 times). The spatial analysis found 5 clusters. In the southeast region of the city, it was found that higher possibility of dog be serologically negative (4.56 times). However, in regions southwest, central and northern the greater risk was the animal be indefinite in tests (3.02, 2.2 and 1.89 times, respectively) and that the risk of CVL was greater in the regions south and north (1.89 and 1.56 times, respectively).

Objetivou-se avaliar o nível de conhecimento e algumas atitudes preventivas em relação à leishmaniose visceral em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, em 2006. Foi feito um estudo de caso-controle, com visitas domiciliares e questionário semi-estrurado. Comparou-se dois grupos: (1) 82 casos humanos de leishmaniose visceral ocorridos em 2004 e (2) 164 controles, constituídos por vizinhos dos casos. A leishmaniose visceral acometeu mais em crianças, com aumento do risco de contrair leishmaniose visceral de 109,77 vezes para menores de dez anos. O homem demonstrou ter 2,57 vezes mais chances de adoecer que a mulher. A escolaridade da população mostrou-se baixa (68,3% não completaram o ensino médio). Cinqüenta por cento dos casos desconheciam-na quando foram infectados e apenas 1,2% conhecia o vetor. Conhecer algo sobre a leishmaniose visceral minimizou o risco de adoecer em 2,24 vezes. Quanto às atitudes de proteção, o risco de se contrair leishmaniose visceral diminui em 1,94 vez para pessoas que mantêm limpos os domicílios ou que levam o cão ao veterinário. Em Belo Horizonte, o conhecimento da população perante a leishmaniose visceral é superficial e as atitudes preventivas inespecíficas. The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge concerning visceral leishmaniasis and attitudes used to prevent the disease in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in 2006. A case-control study was conducted, with home visits and a questionnaire. The odds ratio was calculated, comparing 82 cases of human visceral leishmaniasis in 2004 and 164 controls (neighbors of cases). The disease was more frequent in children (OR = 109.77). Visceral leishmaniasis was 2.57 times more likely in males than in females. Overall schooling level was low (68.3% of subjects had not completed secondary school). Half of the cases did not know what visceral leishmaniasis was, and only 1.2% could identify the vector. Having basic knowledge of visceral leishmaniasis reduced the odds of acquiring the disease by 2.24 times. Keeping the house clean and taking pet dogs to the veterinarian reduced the risk by 1.94 times. In Belo Horizonte, the population's level of knowledge on visceral leishmaniasis is superficial, and preventive attitudes are inaccurate.

Objetivou-se analisar os fatores de risco envolvidos na ocorrência de Leishmaniose Visceral (LV) em Belo Horizonte/MG, em 2006. Para tal, fez-se estudo de caso-controle por meio de entrevistas domiciliares, questionário semi-estrurado, registro de imagens do intra e peridomicílio e coleta de sangue canino. A amostra foi constituída por 82 casos humanos de LV ocorridos em 2004 e 164 controles (vizinhos da esquerda e da direita dos casos). As nove regionais administrativas de Belo Horizonte tiveram residências participantes no estudo, apesar desse não ter objetivado mapeamento geográfico da doença. A coleta de dados dos casos ocorreu com a participação de familiares, quando não foi possível fazê-la com os próprios acometidos. O material biológico coletado foi encaminhado para o laboratório de Leishmaniose da Escola de Veterinária da UFMG para realização de análises sorológicas (Ensaio Enzimático - ELISA e Reação de Imunofluorescência Indireta - RIFI). A população entrevistada se caracterizou por ser adulta, com discreto predomínio do sexo feminino. Notou-se maior acometimento da LV em crianças com idade inferior ou igual a 10 anos. Em relação às residências, os fatores de risco que se mostraram significativos foram: a existência de galinheiro, umidade, lixo, terrenos baldios, cultivo de plantas frutíferas e arborização ao redor do domicílio, além da presença de outros animais, tanto domésticos quanto silvestres, como roedores, pássaros e gatos. Devido ao baixo índice de soropositividade canina, a presença de cão na residência foi considerada sem significância estatística, o que sinaliza um controle efetivo dos animais soropositivos para LV em áreas com ocorrência de casos humanos da doença. A orientação das pessoas sobre as principais informações que abordam a doença mostrou potencial de proteção, sendo estimado um decréscimo no risco de ser acometido de 2,24 vezes para pessoas que detenham quaisquer conhecimentos sobre a LV. The present study was conducted in order to analyze the possible risk factors involved the occurrence of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Belo Horizonte/MG, in 2006. It was made a case-Control study using questionnaire, images registration inside and outside of the affected dwellings and collection of canine blood. The sample was constituted by 82 human cases of VL occurred in 2004 and 164 controls (neighbors of the left and of the right of the cases). The nine regional administrative branch of the Town Hall of Belo Horizonte participated with residences in the study, in spite of not have aimed at geographical level of the disease. The collection of data of the cases happened with the relatives' participation, when it was not possible to do with the own cases. The biological material sample was sent to the laboratory of Leishmaniasis of the Veterinary School of UFMG for accomplishment of laboratory analysis (ELISA and IFAT). The interviewed population was characterized for being adult, with feminine sex slightly predominant. Larger occurrence of VL was noticed among children with age less or equal to 10 years. In relation to the dwellings, the risk factors show significant effect were: if there is a hen house in the propriety, humidity, garbage, fallow lands, If there is fruit or vegetable crop in the house, besides the presence of others animals such as rodents, birds and cats. Due to the low index of canine seropositivity, the dog presence in the residence was considered without statistical effect, which can be inferred a effective control of the animals soropositive for VL in areas with occurrence of human cases. The orientation of the people about the main VL information showed a potential protection, being estimated 2,24 times less likely of have a diseased among the people that have any knowledge about VL.