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In order to identify the knowledge and sources of information about rabies and to assess a community education program, an intervention study for people living in Huambo municipality was conducted during the years 2008-2009. The research was carried out in three stages: knowledge diagnosis, intervention implementation and intervention evaluation. The knowledge regarding rabies was explored through a structured questionnaire about sources of information and issues related to prevention, transmission and clinical manifestations of the disease. It was applied in the first and last stages to 350 persons. The results allowed establishing that the basic sources of information were radio and television (96,6% and 69.1% respectively) and only 7.7% said they obtained information in schools. Knowledge levels were insufficient in 86.9% of the persons interviewed and the weakest aspects were related to prevention and clinical manifestations. After intervention, the level with insufficient knowledge decreased in 25.4%, and regular and well assessments increased. It is emphasized the need to continue increasing knowledge to increase public awareness regarding the potential risk of rabies mainly in schools. The insertion of this subject into science content of the local elementary school educational program was proposed in order to establish a continuing education program on rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Fasciolosis causes high economical losses for the agricultural sector and it is considered as emerging or re-emerging zoonosis due to its increasing impact on public health. Since there is a high prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in Huambo, despite any case reported in humans, it is important to know the potential risk factors for public health. A questionnaire was made for this purpose, and 195 animal breeders of eight municipalities in Huambo were interviewed. Although the persons dedicated to animal husbandry are women, they only represented the 15.9% among the persons interviewed, thus the sanitary education programs should give them priority. The 57.95% of the breeders (113) referred to parasitism in their animals, and the 86.5% indicated it as death cause. Farms had bovines in 86.2% and a 24.6% living with ewes, goats, or both species, which influenced in parasitism (84.1%) (p<0.047). The treatment of infected herds (72.6%) (with chemicals or medicinal herbs) was not effective, and it acted as a risk factor (OR: 54.91, p<0.001), as well as the lack of the veterinary assistance (p<0.05). Most of breeders (69.0%) use medicinal herbs for animal treatment, and their potential contamination with metacercaries may be a risk for the persons which use the traditional medicine. There was a relationship between the parasites in leaf form and those localized in the liver (p<0.05). So, the possible presence of Fasciola sp. in the 41.03% of farms was inferred. The reference of parasites like fasciolas showed a strong relationship with the animal parasitism (OR: 7.18, p<0.05). The risks for human fasciolosis commonly using water sources by animals and the consumption of crops with animal access were also discussed. It is highlighted that all breeders referred to familiar parasitism; in both adults and children (71.8%). Also the 76.9% of breeders considered parasitism as an important disease, while the 92.8% showed interest in more information for its prevention and control. It was shown that parasitism was important either in animals or in persons in Huambo; and it was inferred that Fasciola sp. is a relevant part into the etiological mosaic associated to this sanitary problem. Also, it had a significant impact on public health requiring actions directed for the integral prevention and control of fasciolosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...