A surreal illustration depicting leishmaniasis education in a Brazilian classroom.

Leishmaniasis Education: Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Minas Gerais

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals how teachers in an endemic region are tackling leishmaniasis education, uncovering critical insights for public health and science educators."

Leishmaniasis, a group of neglected tropical diseases, poses a significant health challenge in Brazil, particularly in areas like Divinópolis, Minas Gerais. Caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus, these diseases manifest in two primary forms: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The lack of awareness and knowledge surrounding these diseases exacerbates their spread, leading to increased cases and socio-economic burdens.

Recognizing the urgent need for effective educational strategies, a study was conducted to investigate the perceptions and practices of primary and secondary school teachers regarding leishmaniasis education. This research aimed to understand how educators in endemic areas approach the topic, what challenges they face, and what resources they utilize in their teaching.

By examining the perspectives of science and biology teachers, this article sheds light on the current state of leishmaniasis education in Minas Gerais, offering valuable insights for improving public health interventions and educational programs. The study underscores the importance of empowering educators with accurate information and effective teaching tools to combat the spread of this neglected disease.

How Teachers Approach Leishmaniasis in the Classroom

A surreal illustration depicting leishmaniasis education in a Brazilian classroom.

The study involved in-depth interviews with ten science and biology teachers from both public and private schools in Divinópolis. The interviews explored their understanding of leishmaniasis, their teaching practices, and the resources they used to educate students about the disease.

The findings revealed a significant gap in knowledge and confidence among teachers regarding leishmaniasis. Many teachers admitted to having limited knowledge of the disease, often covering it superficially due to their own lack of preparation. This hesitance was compounded by the pressure to cover a wide range of topics within the curriculum, leaving little time for in-depth exploration of leishmaniasis.

Lack of Importance: Teachers often prioritize other health topics, such as HIV/AIDS and dengue fever, over leishmaniasis.
Superficial Coverage: The complexity of the disease and the limited availability of resources contribute to a shallow understanding among students.
Teacher Preparedness: Many teachers feel unprepared to teach about leishmaniasis, lacking the necessary training and resources.
Curriculum Constraints: A packed curriculum leaves little room for detailed discussions on specific diseases like leishmaniasis.

Despite these challenges, teachers recognized the importance of addressing leishmaniasis in the classroom. They acknowledged the presence of risk factors in the region and the lack of public health initiatives to prevent the disease. However, they often felt constrained by the lack of resources and support to implement effective educational programs.

Empowering Educators for a Healthier Future

The study highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to improve leishmaniasis education in Minas Gerais. By providing teachers with accurate information, effective teaching strategies, and access to relevant resources, we can empower them to play a vital role in preventing the spread of this neglected disease and promoting the health and well-being of their students.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/1983-21172013150303, Alternate LINK

Title: Percepção De Professores Do Ensino Básico Em Relação As Suas Práticas Educativas Sobre Leishmanioses: Um Estudo Em Área Endêmica De Minas Gerais

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Ensaio Pesquisa em Educação em Ciências (Belo Horizonte)

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Viviane Helena De França, Carina Margonari, Virgínia Torres Schall

Published: 2013-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is leishmaniasis, and why is it a concern in Minas Gerais?

Leishmaniasis is a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus. These diseases manifest primarily as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In the region of Minas Gerais, especially in areas like Divinópolis, the presence of leishmaniasis poses a significant health challenge due to the lack of awareness and knowledge surrounding the disease. This leads to increased cases and socio-economic burdens within the community.

What challenges do teachers in Minas Gerais face when teaching about leishmaniasis?

The study found that teachers in Minas Gerais face several challenges when teaching about leishmaniasis. These include a lack of importance given to the topic compared to others like HIV/AIDS and dengue fever, the superficial coverage of the topic due to the complexity and limited resources, the lack of preparedness among teachers stemming from insufficient training, and the constraints imposed by a packed curriculum which leaves little room for in-depth exploration. These factors hinder effective education and contribute to the spread of leishmaniasis.

How can leishmaniasis education be improved in Minas Gerais?

The study emphasizes the crucial need for targeted interventions to improve leishmaniasis education in Minas Gerais. By providing teachers with accurate information, effective teaching strategies, and access to relevant resources, educators can be better equipped to educate students and address the knowledge gaps. Improved educational programs will enable teachers to play a pivotal role in preventing the spread of the disease and promoting the health and well-being of their students.

What are the main forms of leishmaniasis?

The two primary forms of leishmaniasis are cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). CL affects the skin, causing ulcers and lesions, while VL affects internal organs and can be life-threatening. Understanding these forms is important because they have different symptoms, treatments, and impacts on public health. This knowledge is crucial for teachers to convey accurate and relevant information to their students, enabling them to understand the disease and its implications better.

Why do teachers recognize the importance of teaching about leishmaniasis?

Teachers in Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, recognized the importance of addressing leishmaniasis in the classroom due to the presence of risk factors in the region and the lack of public health initiatives to prevent the disease. This recognition highlights their understanding of the local health challenges. However, the lack of resources, including information and support for effective educational programs, constrains their ability to teach the subject effectively, thereby limiting the potential for improved public health outcomes in the region.