SCHOOLCHILDREN’S PROFILE AND CONCEPTIONS ABOUT ARBOVIRUSES WITHIN THE ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO HEALTH

The control and prevention of the Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya arboviruses transmitted by the Aedes aegypti vector is a severe public health problem in Brazil. This study aims to characterize sociodemography and prior knowledge about Aedes aegypti and control/prevention strategies of the participants of a study conducted in 2018 with 55 students regularly enrolled in two municipal elementary schools in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended and closed-ended questions was applied to collect data. Data were organized in tables and analyzed descriptively. The results indicated greater participation of girls (29; 52.7%) aged 10-16 years (43; 79.1%). Students had a general knowledge of arboviruses, and 48 (87.3%) knew the virus transmission mode. We conclude that the students were primarily female and knew about arboviruses and their effects on health.