Feiras livres no município de Maceió (estado de Alagoas): hábitos de higiene, condições de estabelecimento e ação de sensibilização em educação em saúde

Abstract

Raising awareness about education and health is an important tool in minimizing problems that affect public health. Free markets and public markets are environments with a high concentration of people and, therefore, conducive to the spread of diseases, especially among those who handle food. The present study developed and applied a data collection instrument, aiming at a preliminary survey of the level of hygiene and health knowledge of traders and food handlers in open-air markets and public markets, located in neighborhoods in the upper part of Maceió, state of Alagoas (Brazil). With the permission of the participants, photographic records were also made of the general conditions of the commercial spaces, as well as a low general hygiene condition of spaces used for commerce. After the interviews, informal conversations were held with the participants, aiming to sensitize them to replace inadequate hygiene practices with behaviors that increase good hygienic practices, such as increasing the frequency of hand hygiene. Despite being occasional, awareness-raising actions for education and health are important practices that contribute to public health. This study suggests that local public authorities carry out frequent awareness and health campaigns in public markets in Maceió.