RONALDO INACIO DA COSTA FILHO

AUTHOR: RONALDO INACIO DA COSTA FILHO

TITLE: POPULATION KNOWLEDGE OF THE VETERINARIAN ROLE COMPETENCE ON BASIC HEALTH CARE

ADVISOR:   Prof. Dr. Raphaella Barbosa Meirelles Bartoli, Co-Advisor: Prof. Dr. Daniel Bartoli De Sousa

DEFENSE DATE: 29/10/2018

ABSTRACT: The possibility of the veterinary medical practice to promote human health is still largely unknown by the Brazilian population, due to the belief that this profession is only focused at the areas of clinic and surgery of large and small animals. Another limitation of the population is the lack of knowledge on zoonoses, especially those affecting the Brazilians. In general, people are unaware of the definition of zoonoses, the animals which act as a source of infection in the spread of major diseases, and their mechanisms of transmission and prevention. This lack of information undermines the control and eradication of diseases that can be fatal. Thus, the objective with this work was to evaluate, by means of a questionnaire, the perception of the population of Córrego Rico District, pertaining to the local authority of Jaboticabal Municipality, São Paulo state, the role of the Veterinarian, in addition, to check the knowledge about rabies, leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and dengue fever. According to the obtained results, from 141 respondents, 92.9 % affirmed to know the veterinary doctor working activities and when inquired on which areas they would be, 96.9 % mentioned clinic of small and large animals and only 3.1% of the respondents associated this professional competences with the public health area, referring to the performance at the Zoonoses Control Center (ZCC) currently entitled Zoonoses Surveillance Unit (UVZ), in the Sanitary Surveillance System and the Dengue Fever Control Programme. Regards to the main urban zoonoses, when asked if they knew what rabies means, 85.8% of respondents stated they knew it, and when inquired about leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and leptospirosis, 87.3%; 65.3% and 26.2%, respectively, pronounced they had never heard anything about them. It was also observed, from statistical analysis Chi-square test (p < 0.05), the variables schooling and age group can influence the knowledge about zoonoses and the veterinarian’s working areas. It is evident, therefore, the precarious knowledge about diseases of great importance for public health and that rely on the veterinarian as an ally to enhance the work of Primary Health Care.