Abstract INTRODUCTION Malaria case management is a pivotal intervention in malaria elimination. However, many remote areas in Brazil still lack access to basic health services. This study describes a community-based approach (CBA) for malaria case management in the large remote area of the Jaú National Park (JNP), Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS In 2001, a general health CBA was initiated with a motor group (MG); a participative community health diagnosis (PCHD) was subsequently implemented between 2001 and 2005. In 2006, a CBA for malaria case management started with an expanded MG including all sectors with a stake in malaria control, from the local residents to the federal government. In 2008, community microscopists were selected and trained to diagnose hemoparasites. A full malaria strategy was implemented in 2009 with subsequent quality control follow-up. RESULTS Two educational materials were co-created with local communities. The MG identified malaria as a major health problem and the malaria MG planned the control activities. Ten communities selected a resident to become malaria microscopists, and ten solar-operated health centers were built. The number of slide readings increased from 923 in 2006 to 1,900 in 2009, while malaria infections decreased from 354 cases in 2005 to 20 cases in 2015. The excess time (≥ 48 hours) between first symptoms and diagnosis/treatment decreased from 68.9% of cases in 2005 to 14.3% in 2010. CONCLUSIONS While many factors were likely involved in the reduction of malaria transmission in the JNP, the CBA played an important role in the sustained success of the initiative.

O artigo apresenta um estudo internacional realizado entre outubro de 2011 e janeiro de 2012, no qual se baseou o desenho e elaboração de um vídeo (spot) que tinha como objetivo a sensibilização e promoção da visibilidade da problemática vinculada à doença de Chagas. A pesquisa, de caráter qualitativo, analisou a informação recolhida por meio de 38 questionários respondidos por pessoas afetadas e especialistas sobre a doença. A informação, para cada um dos dois grupos, foi classificada de acordo com os aspectos que as pessoas associavam com a palavra Chagas, e as dificuldades, adversidades, desafios e conquistas vinculadas com a doença. Para cada um dos referidos aspectos, apresenta-se uma análise das respostas, relatos e anedotas. As conclusões reforçam a necessidade de se conhecer e divulgar as dificuldades vividas pelas pessoas afetadas pela doença de Chagas, tendo em mente que se trata de uma realidade que se manifesta de forma diversa dependendo do contexto.

This paper presents an international study that was conducted between October 2011 and January 2012, in which a video (spot) to boost awareness and raise the profile of Chagas disease issues was designed and developed. This study was of qualitative nature and analyzed information that was gathered from 38 questionnaires that had been answered by individuals affected by the disease and by specialists on this disease. The information from each group was classified according to factors that they associated with the word Chagas, along with the difficulties, adversities, challenges, objectives and achievements relating to the disease. The responses, reports and anecdotes relating to each of these factors were analyzed. The conclusions emphasize the need to know and make known the difficulties that people affected by Chagas disease experience, bearing in mind that the realities are manifested differently depending on the context.

El artículo da cuenta de un estudio internacional realizado entre octubre de 2011 y enero de 2012, como fundamento para el diseño y elaboración de un material audiovisual (spot) con el objeto de sensibilizar y visibilizar la problemática del Chagas. La investigación, de carácter cualitativo, recogió los datos de 38 encuestas, respondidas por personas afectadas y especialistas en la temática. La información para cada grupo se ordenó según aspectos que las personas asociaban con la palabra Chagas, y dificultades, retos, desafíos y logros vinculados. Para cada punto se presenta un análisis de las respuestas, relatos y anécdotas relacionadas. Las conclusiones refuerzan la necesidad de conocer y dar a conocer las dificultades que viven las personas afectadas por el Chagas, considerando que se trata de una realidad que tiene diversas manifestaciones dependiendo del contexto.

O artigo apresenta um estudo internacional realizado entre outubro de 2011 e janeiro de 2012, no qual se baseou o desenho e elaboração de um vídeo (spot) que tinha como objetivo a sensibilização e promoção da visibilidade da problemática vinculada à doença de Chagas. A pesquisa, de caráter qualitativo, analisou a informação recolhida por meio de 38 questionários respondidos por pessoas afetadas e especialistas sobre a doença. A informação, para cada um dos dois grupos, foi classificada de acordo com os aspectos que as pessoas associavam com a palavra Chagas, e as dificuldades, adversidades, desafios e conquistas vinculadas com a doença. Para cada um dos referidos aspectos, apresenta-se uma análise das respostas, relatos e anedotas. As conclusões reforçam a necessidade de se conhecer e divulgar as dificuldades vividas pelas pessoas afetadas pela doença de Chagas, tendo em mente que se trata de uma realidade que se manifesta de forma diversa dependendo do contexto.

This paper presents an international study that was conducted between October 2011 and January 2012, in which a video (spot) to boost awareness and raise the profile of Chagas disease issues was designed and developed. This study was of qualitative nature and analyzed information that was gathered from 38 questionnaires that had been answered by individuals affected by the disease and by specialists on this disease. The information from each group was classified according to factors that they associated with the word Chagas, along with the difficulties, adversities, challenges, objectives and achievements relating to the disease. The responses, reports and anecdotes relating to each of these factors were analyzed. The conclusions emphasize the need to know and make known the difficulties that people affected by Chagas disease experience, bearing in mind that the realities are manifested differently depending on the context.

El artículo da cuenta de un estudio internacional realizado entre octubre de 2011 y enero de 2012, como fundamento para el diseño y elaboración de un material audiovisual (spot) con el objeto de sensibilizar y visibilizar la problemática del Chagas. La investigación, de carácter cualitativo, recogió los datos de 38 encuestas, respondidas por personas afectadas y especialistas en la temática. La información para cada grupo se ordenó según aspectos que las personas asociaban con la palabra Chagas, y dificultades, retos, desafíos y logros vinculados. Para cada punto se presenta un análisis de las respuestas, relatos y anécdotas relacionadas. Las conclusiones refuerzan la necesidad de conocer y dar a conocer las dificultades que viven las personas afectadas por el Chagas, considerando que se trata de una realidad que tiene diversas manifestaciones dependiendo del contexto.