Abstract

"Divers inquires established by chagasic patients in relation to its clinical condition, motivated to a group of parasitologists to design an assistance educative programme. 72 volunteer patients participated, 32 men and 40 women from the high and low chagasic endemic zones of Chile. The educative methodology basically consist in the application of a diagnosis and acquired knowledge tests; theorical sessions of six relationated tematics subjects, tutorial practical activities; use of audiovisual and printed material, personal diligence by a parasitological doctor (after the educative assistance and with the serological, electrocardiographical and parasitological antecedents determinated previously) and evaluation of the educative activity by the patients. A greater previous and acquired knowledge was observed in chronic chagasics patients from endemic zones. All of them demonstrated a high degree of interest and actively participated in the programmed activities. The used methodology, the tutorial work of small groups and the individual attention-orientator by the parasitological doctor, facilitated the teaching-learning process. It is concludes that the educative assistance answer many of the inquires in relation to the disease, allows the patient to recognize the role as protagonist of his own comfort and transforms him in an efficient agent to control Chagas disease"