Abstract
ABSTRACT. Palhano H.B., Souza J.C.P. de, Alves P.A.M., Jesus V.L.T. de, Fonseca A.H. da & Pereira M.J.S. [Social representations about health-disease and participation of the veterinarian in family farming in the Municipality of Rio das Flores, RJ.] Representações sociais sobre saúde - doença e participação do médico veterinário na produção familiar do município de Rio das Flores. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 33(1):51-57, 2011. Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. E-mail: hbpalhano@ufrrj.br This study was carried out in order to know the social representations of family farmers on the health-disease process in animals and theirs relations with sanitary practices adopted to prevent diseases in their herds. Moreover, it evaluated the participation of the veterinarian and of the institutions related with this production chain in the Municipality of Rio das Flores, RJ. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 family farmers and six with veterinarians. For the qualitative analysis, techniques for the analysis of content and triangulation were used. A descriptive analysis was done with quantitative data. Health and disease in cattle were represented by antagonistic states and associated with human’s health-disease. The sanitary and handling practices are based on its majority in vaccination against foot and mouth disease, rabies and clostridiosis and in an empirical control of endo and ectoparasites. The veterinary assistance has been characterized by emergencies clinical interventions that, in the farmers’ perception, meet their demands. The farmers’ perception concerning the health-disease process is due a knowledge fragmented and maintains adherence to the practices adopted sanitary and with the bioproductive indicators observed. This scene requires a Veterinarian´s reflection regarding its activities in which the planning and establishment of actions imply in professional behavior change. The starting point might be the respect to the social representations of these family farmers and from them to know the reality and to promote changes.