RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To assess communications aspects related to pesticide use in a rural area of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. METHODS: The study was carried out in the area of São Lourenço stream. It was based on methodological triangulation comprising: semi-structured interviews and observation of a local population sample (about 600 inhabitants); structured questionnaire to collect data on the local community; and records of lectures given by argonomic engineers, pesticides traders and other public service professionals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This study pointed out to the historical misinformation on pesticides in rural areas; the emphasis on technical language in educational and training activities available which constitutes a barrier for rural workers knowledge acquisition and empowerment; and the industry/commerce's pressure to legitimate pesticide trading, reinforcing the existing communication process, resulting in unfavorable inclusion of the rural worker into a broader market economy.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The objective of this paper is to show the development program about health and environment in an institution of academic research and teaching, technological development and services. We analyse data from the register of projects in health and environment in the development process as the thematic axis for this program. We show the sectors which the projects are related, the key words of research and teaching, the construction of thematic axis that should guide and the different approach of interdisciplinary. At the end we show the challenges and perspectives for an interdisciplinar work about health and environment in an academic research and teaching institution.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Drawing on data from a morbidity survey of sampled households in 25 small villages in Espirito Santo, Brazil, this article is concerned with reports of "nerves" (nervos) or nerve problems (problema de nervos). Reported cases of nervos (30 percent of all reports of illness) included a variety of symptoms: insomnia, body pains, dizziness, trembling, weakness, and emotional states ranging from feelings of sadness to anger. In one-third of the accounts, "overwork" was mentioned as the main cause, due both to its direct physical effect and to stress related to economic hardship and responsibility. In 88 percent of the cases, the afflicted person regularly used at least one psychotropic drug to relieve symptoms. Daily use of drugs occurred in 68 percent of the cases, and in 47 percent of cases people were reported as "dependent" on the drugs. The extensive use of psychotropic drugs suggests medicalization of nervos, creating a sick role for patients and keeping at an individual level the problems resulting in nervos.

Assuntos

RESUMO

"Attacks of bad nerves" appeared as a subject for study during an Inquiry into Referred Morbidity in 25 small villages of a rural area of the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil, which have subsisted by virtue of the labor needed for the harmsting of the coffee crops since the beginning of the century. Through the systematic sampling procedure, 93 adults were interviewed about health problems which had occurred in their families during the previous 48 hours and about their attitudes concerning these problems. "Attacks of nerves" or simply "nerves" were reported in the course of 28 (30%) interviews, resulting in 34 reports on the problem, proportionately distributed among settlers and owners of small properties; 14 were men and 20 women; all were rural workers. In 11 (32%) reports, over-work was quoted as the main course of "nerves", either due to its direct effects, or to the affliction related with the coexistence of great efforts to cope with responsibilities, and the small return on all their efforts. In 30 cases (88%) the use of at least one of the 26 psychotropic drugs mentioned was constant (being dauly in 68%). Dependence was explicit by confessed in 47% of them. The reference to "nerves pills" came first or even replaced the description of "attacks of nerves" in 18 (53%) of the interviews, reflecting the strong influence of medical practice and speech on the population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this research is the critical analysis of the social representation of schistosomiasis in an endemic area in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The results are presented in three papers in order to allow for an in-depth explanation of the interrelationship and conditionings related to the ways in which the population perceive schistosomiasis. This paper approaches the representation of schistosomiasis as an organic process, including the following topics: symptoms, etiology, and treatment. By transposing an assessment of "level of knowledge", we found that "knowledge" alone does not have the minimum necessary elements to warrant logical consistence from the point of view of the population. The practical measures of control programs carried out by the National Health Foundation strongly influence social representation of the disease. The creation of a myth concerning snails as elements capable of entering the human body and eating away at one's insides exerts an overwhelming influence over the population. We discuss the population's limited belief in the existence of such a disease, and the played by the medicine prescribed in the area. The "snail myth" diverts attention from the discussion of sanitary measures and general living conditions related to schistosomiasis.

Assuntos

RESUMO

In the present comparative study a Biomphalaria straminea sample from Picos (Piauí) showed expressive advantages related to fecundity over a B. glabrata sample from Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais) such as: higher egg-mass production in 10 out of 12 months of study; higher egg production in all months of study; higher egg per egg-mass ratio in 11 out of 12 months of study; 66% of the egg-masses containing more than 20 eggs while in B. glabrata 70% of the egg-masses showed less than 20 eggs; three times less empty egg capsules than B. glabrata; attainning maximum fecundity in half the time required by B. glabrata. Mortality however was higher and sooner in B. straminea, suggesting higher semelparity in this species than in B. glabrata, a possibility that requires confirmation through long-term studies with other samples of both species. This first finding of a B. straminea sample more fecund than B. glabrata is discussed in relation to other data from the literature, and some recommendations are made on the quantification of fecundity of planorbid snails

Assuntos

RESUMO

The behavioral response of Biomphalaria straminea to light was evaluated in terms of location of the snail in a Y-shaped aquarium in a situation of selection and of the rate (cm/hour) and direction of locomotion under homogeneous (vertical) or differential (horizontal) lighting upon only one arm of the aquarium. The light source consisted of daylight fluorescent lamps with a spectrum close to that of natural light, with illumination varying from 2.8 to 350 lux. Analysis of the data showed that all animals, whether in groups or isolated, were attracted to light, although the time needed to approach the light source was 50% shorter for the former than for the latter. The rate of locomotion of B. straminea was 35% higher than that observed in B. glabrata and 51% higher than that observed in B. tenagophila studied under similar conditions. The results are discussed in terms of social factors and geographical distribution of the three species.

Assuntos