Resumen

ROQUE BAR, Aníbal; OSCHEROV, Elena Beatriz  y  FRANCISCA MILANO, Alicia María. Habits and beliefs about parasites and parasitic diseases among inhabitants of SantaAna de los Guácaras, Corrientes, Argentina. Bol Mal Salud Amb [online]. 2009, vol.49, n.1, pp.127-134. ISSN 1690-4648.

The purpose of the present work was to analyze the popular beliefs that people of Santa Ana de los Guácaras, Corrientes, Argentina, have on parasites and diseases they produce. Additionally, their health habits related to were investigated. A qualitative study was carried out. Thirty nine dwellings were randomly selected and a non structured interview was conducted with the father or mother of the family to investigate their knowledge on parasites and diseases that produce, symptoms and effects, methods of prevention, transmission, treatment and health habits. Data analysis was performed according to the perspective of addressing the health-disease process in accordance with the realm of their subjectivity. Results showed that parasitoses have a restricted meaning, since people do not take into account ectoparasites and parasitic diseases in children are assumed as natural, which leads to a fatalistic attitude, that in turn leads to not taking any control measures. There is a reversal of the causal chains, which cause breaks to relate all the elements linked to the cycles of parasitic diseases. This contribution is expected to provide tools for understanding the persistence of parasitic diseases in Santa Ana de los Guácaras and consequently, to define strategies for prevention and control.

Palabras clave : Parasites; infectious diseases; knowledge; attitude.