Análise do conhecimento de médicos atuantes no Brasil sobre o complexo Teníase-Cisticercose

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is one of the most important neglected tropical zoonotic diseases. The physician has a fundamental role in the control and treatment of the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex. However, studies on the knowledge of these professionals are scarce in the literature. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of physicians who work professionally in Brazil, which is considered endemic for taeniasis-cysticercosis. A structured questionnaire was prepared, sent electronically, with 12 objective questions on four axes of knowledge about neurocysticercosis - parasitic cycle, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy. In total, 209 physicians participated in the survey. There was an average percentage of 62.7% of correct answers in relation to the total number of questions. The questions dealing with the parasitic cycle (32.9%) and pathophysiology (91.4%) had the lowest and highest rates of correct answers, respectively. There was a significant difference in the score index of correct questions among professionals with a medical specialty compared to general practitioners (p= 0.035), and among those who obtained a bachelor's degree in public institutions (p= 0.010). The highest global index of correct answers was observed in the Southeast region, while the lowest indexes of correct answers were in the South and Northeast regions. The length of professional experience and the sector of activity (public health system, private sector, or both) did not influence the score of correct answers. The information obtained can be used to raise awareness among physicians and in the development of continuing training programs to control the taeniasis-cysticercosis complex, particularly for professionals working in endemic areas and with populations at risk.