[Vitamin A Supplementation Program in Brazil: evaluability assessmentPrograma Nacional de Suplementación de Vitamina A en Brasil: un estudio de evaluación]. / Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Vitamina A no Brasil: um estudo de avaliabilidade.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the steps of the Brazilian Vitamin A Supplementation Program (PNSVA) evaluability assessment. METHOD: The present qualitative study employed the seven-element system proposed by Thurston and Ramaliu. The study involved document analysis, conceptual review of PNSVA, and meetings with technical experts to assemble a time line and the Program's theoretical and logical frameworks. The logical framework supported the elaboration of two questionnaires to be used for PNSVA evaluation. The questionnaires were validated using the Delphi method. RESULTS: The analysis revealed the evolution of vitamin A control and prevention strategies in the country, and provided information on the functioning of PNSVA and on its external context. The logical framework was found to be an invaluable tool for detecting specific priority areas for future assessments. The validation of the questionnaires indicated that they did in fact cover topics that are necessary to evaluate the implementation of PNSVA in municipalities. The Delphi step was essential to guide adjustments regarding question content and format, which served to increase the analytic power of the instruments. CONCLUSION: The evaluability assessment indicated that future PNSVA evaluations will be possible. It is expected that the present results may be useful in countries developing similar initiatives as the one described in Brazil.

OBJETIVO: Describir las etapas del estudio de evaluación del Programa Nacional de Suplementación de Vitamina A (PNSVA) en Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudio con enfoque cualitativo que adoptó como marco de referencia el sistema de siete elementos propuesto por Thurston y Ramaliu. Se realizó análisis de documentos, revisión teórica del PNSVA y reuniones con expertos técnicos para la elaboración del cronograma y los marcos teórico y lógico del Programa. El modelo lógico ayudó a elaborar dos cuestionarios para ser utilizados en la evaluación del PNSVA. Los cuestionarios fueron validados utilizando el método Delphi. RESULTADOS: El estudio permitió comprender la evolución de las estrategias para prevenir y controlar la deficiencia de vitamina A en el país, además del funcionamiento del PNSVA y su contexto externo. El modelo lógico representó una herramienta valiosa para identificar áreas específicas que deben ser priorizadas en evaluaciones futuras. La validación de los cuestionarios indicó que estos instrumentos abordan temas necesarios para la evaluación de la implantación del Programa en los municipios. La aplicación del método Delphi fue muy importante para guiar los ajustes pertinentes en cuanto al contenido y la forma de presentación de algunos temas, lo que con certeza aumentará el poder analítico de la herramienta. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio de evaluación señaló la posibilidad de evaluaciones futuras del PNSVA. Se espera que los resultados de esta investigación ayuden a futuras evaluaciones en países que adopten acciones similares a las de Brasil.

Perceptions of the population and health professionals regarding visceral leishmaniasis.

Based on theoretical qualitative research reference methodology, this study sought to investigate the perception of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) by social actors directly involved in the prevention and control of the disease. Thirty-eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents, focus groups were staged with 18 health workers in an endemic VL area and depositions were collected, which after being processed by content analysis revealed shortcomings and challenges. The population associated VL with dogs, acknowledged their co-responsibility in tackling the disease and demanded information. Health workers identified environmental sanitation as an essential factor for VL prevention. Among the shortcomings, the lack of information about the disease and culpability of the individual because of non-adherence to prevention measures were observed, especially environmental management. Probably, approaches emphasizing the role of the environment as a health promotion agent and the timely definition of specific environmental measures against VL, constitute a prospect for overcoming these shortcomings. The consensus is that the main challenge for enhancing the prevention and control might be the participatory and dialogical construction of these approaches between health professionals and the population.

Dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families: a sustainable model for controlling the disease.

A model for the dissemination of information on visceral leishmaniasis from schoolchildren to their families was evaluated in two schools in Caeté, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Age ranged from 9 to 17 years in the two schools, one receiving the intervention (with 92 students) and the other serving as the control (96 students). All the students attended a class and received a pamphlet on visceral leishmaniasis. The intervention consisted of a homework assignment in which the student discussed the class content and pamphlet with a family member. Knowledge by family members (n = 100) on visceral leishmaniasis was evaluated with a pre and post-intervention questionnaire applied by a health agent, who also completed a form on hygiene around the household as observed during the home visit. A significant improvement was observed in knowledge and hygiene (e.g., sweeping of leaves, fruit, and branches from the yards) among the families that were exposed to the intervention (p < 0.05). The spread of information on visceral leishmaniasis by schoolchildren can contribute to measures for preventing the disease.

Evaluation of informative materials on leishmaniasis distributed in Brazil: criteria and basis for the production and improvement of health education materials.

Based on categories related to structure, content, language, and illustrations, the present study provides an evaluation of the quality of educational materials on leishmaniasis available to health services in Brazil. The 18 publications evaluated consisted of four handbooks, four guided studies, four booklets, and six leaflets. Of the total publications assessed, nine were produced by the Brazilian National Health Foundation (FUNASA), five by State and Municipal Health Departments jointly with FUNASA, and one by the Pan-American Health Organization. The evaluations were also performed by three professionals: a physician specialized in leishmaniasis, a parasitologist, and an information/communications expert. The publications failed to specify key items such as target public, objective, and bibliography. The illustrations, especially in the booklets and leaflets, failed to clarify the text, portrayed biased concepts, and omitted credits and scale. According to this study, informative materials on leishmaniasis distributed in Brazil present major limitations which jeopardize the quality of information they contain.