Diffusion of knowledge and urban legends: the case of internments due to sanitation conditions

Authors

  • Christovam Barcellos Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto de Comunicação e Informação Científica e Tecnológica em Saúde , Laboratório de Informações em Saúde, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3395/reciis.v2i2.846

Keywords:

Internments, hydric transmission diseases, sanitation, risk reporting, health information

Abstract

The statement that in Brazil “68% of the internments are due to the lack of sanitation” is diffused on the Web pages. The weight of the diseases related with water in the internment is clearly overestimated. If one considers just the hydric transmission diseases, this proportion falls to 4.8%. 204 websites of environment defense organizations and institutions, professional associations, universities and research centers quoting this statement were found upon a search on the Internet. The transmission standards of false information characterize this as one additional urban legend among those that impair the establishment of priorities. As the public policies are established from an accumulation of knowledge, the transmission of information in reports, scientific papers and texts on the Internet may represent the longing of pressure groups to alter priorities of the sanitation area.

Published

2008-05-01

How to Cite

Barcellos, C. (2008). Diffusion of knowledge and urban legends: the case of internments due to sanitation conditions. Revista Eletrônica De Comunicação, Informação & Inovação Em Saúde, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.3395/reciis.v2i2.846

Issue

Section

Original articles