Investigação do conhecimento de produtores do açaí sobre a doença de Chagas e práticas de sanitização em municípios do Amazonas com histórico de surtos por transmissão oral

Abstract

To describe the level of knowledge of açaí producers about Chagas disease and good practices in handling the fruit in municipalities in Amazonas with a history of outbreaks through oral transmission, as well as the implementation of measures to sanitize the fruit. Method: This is a cross-sectional, observational, analytical study that took place between 2022 and 2023 in the municipalities of Carauari, Coari, Lábrea, Tefé, and Uarini. Açaí producers answered a questionnaire about CD and hygiene practices in handling açaí. In addition, folders with information about CD and good practices were distributed. Results: 89 beaters with an average age of 44.5 years were interviewed; 95.5% said they had heard of CD, but 60.9% were unable to explain how transmission occurs and 64% did not identify the barber in the image; 15.7% said they had a history of CD in the family; 52.8% of the buildings are made of masonry and 61.8% of the water comes from wells; 2.2% follow all the recommended steps. Conclusion: Most of the harvesters do not have sufficient information about DC and its transmission. Furthermore, sanitation in the handling of the fruit and juice does not occur satisfactorily.