RESUMO
The aim of this study was to create efficient and motivating material for use with a population that is in the process of learning and not well informed with respect to schistosomiasis, AIDS, dengue and leishmaniasis. Educational material undoubtedly represents an important possible means of minimizing the prevalence of these diseases. The "Bate-Boca" game is an alternative to such material which can be of help in measures of disease prevention. Thirty-eight adolescents and pre-adolescents with an average age of 15 to 16 years played the game. Before and after they had played the game they exhibited a significant difference in their ability to answer questions about the diseases concerned when answers relevant to all the diseases were considered together (p ú 0.05). In terms of individual diseases, there was a significant increase in knowledge concerning leishmaniasis as judged by the Wilcoxon test (0.05). The students knew very little about this disease before the game. They showed a great interest in the game and a thorough understanding of its rules.