Abstract

NUNES, Ana Luiza Borges de Paula; CUNHA, Ana Maria de Oliveira  and  MARCAL JUNIOR, Oswaldo. Coletores de lixo e enteroparasitoses: o papel das representações sociais em suas atitudes preventivas. Ciência educ. [online]. 2006, vol.12, n.01, pp.25-38. ISSN 1516-7313.

The aim of this research was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in garbage collectors in Patrocínio - MG, find out their social representations about working conditions to which they are subject and the work-related risks concerning intestinal parasites. To achieve this goal, data collection was carried out through questionnaires and interviews as well as parasitological tests, from 22 garbage collectors of Patrocínio. Protozoa or helminthes were found in 63.64% of the studied collectors, although only 13.63% were intestinal parasites. Garbage collectors clearly showed collective social representations about garbage and its potential as a disease carrier and, according to such representations, they have developed their own preventive strategies, which might explain the low prevalence of intestinal parasites found.

Keywords : Social Representation; Garbage Collector; Environmental Education.

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