BACKGROUND: The high frequency of hemoglobinopathies in Brazil constitutes a public health problem and thus educational and preventive measures are necessary to reduce the incidence. Genetic guidance, a modality of genetic counseling, and family screening are measures that can assist in reproductive decisions and mitigate clinical, psychological and social problems of families with these disorders. OBJETIVE: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of educational and preventive measures for hemoglobinopathies using genetic guidance and laboratory screening of families. METHODS: The diagnoses of patients with hemoglobinopathies were confirmed and then the level of knowledge about their disease was evaluated and genetic guidance was provided. Three months later, the level of assimilated information of these patients was evaluated. In addition, laboratory diagnosis of family members was carried out. RESULTS: Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was confirmed for most patients. Moreover, the majority of the patients who had a low level of knowledge before genetic guidance (68.8%) demonstrated a higher level of assimilated information after the process (81.8%). Almost 70% of the family members had hemoglobin changes and some had hemoglobinopathies (2.6%). They were duly informed about the results of the examinations, which made it possible to investigate further. CONCLUSION: Genetic guidance and family screening were effective preventive and educational measures that improved the quality of life of patients, preventing complications and sequels and allowed the referral of those who may transmit altered genes for clinical diagnosis and to genetic counseling services.

INTRODUÇÃO: As hantaviroses apresentam distribuição mundial e constituem importante problema de saúde pública. A epidemiologia da hantavirose no Brasil mostra que vem aumentando a cada ano o número de casos que são notificados e de variantes que têm sido descobertas em diversos estados e no Distrito Federal. Neste contexto, o estudo tem como objetivo principal analisar o uso e da ocupação do solo na disseminação da hantavirose no Distrito Federal, no período de 2004 a 2008. MÉTODOS: Para a realização desta pesquisa, foram utilizados dados epidemiológicos e do uso da terra com fins de elaborar tabelas e cartogramas para detalhar a espacialização da hantavirose no território. RESULTADOS: Dos 40 locais prováveis de infecção (LPIs) plotados no Mapa de Cobertura e Uso da Terra, 19 (47%) ocorreram em áreas de pastagens, 10 (25%) em área urbana (periurbana), 6 (15%) em áreas utilizadas para a agricultura e 5 (12%) em espaços de cerrado. CONCLUSÕES: Sendo assim, as atividades agrícolas e a expansão urbana em direção às áreas de cerrado vêm favorecendo a disseminação da hantavirose no Distrito Federal e em especialmente em São Sebastião.

INTRODUCTION: Hantavirosis has worldwide distribution and is an important public health problem. The epidemiology of hantavirosis in Brazil shows that the number of cases notified and the number of variants discovered in several states and the Federal District have been increasing year by year. Within this context, the main objective of this study was to examine land use and occupation in relation to the spread of hantavirosis in the Federal District, between 2004 and 2008. METHODS: To carry out this investigation, epidemiological and land use data were used to drafting tables and cartograms in order to detail the special spread of hantavirosis in this area. RESULTS: Out of the 40 likely infection sites plotted on the coverage and land use map, 19 (47%) were in pasture areas, 10 (25%) in urban areas (periurban), 6 (15%) in areas used for agriculture and 5 (12%) in savanna areas. CONCLUSIONS: It can thus be seen that agricultural activities and urban expansion towards the savanna areas have favored the spread of hantavirosis in the Federal District and especially in São Sebastião.