[Knowledge of students about visceral leishmaniasis in public schools in Caxias, Maranhão, Brazil].

This is a sample survey (743 questionnaires) conducted in the months from April to November 2009 in ten pre-selected public schools located in eight districts of the city of Caxias. The students' knowledge of viral leishmaniasis (VL) and its transmission and prevention was evaluated through closed questionnaires. The results showed changes with the highest percentage of correct answers for answers about the transmission of disease and the symptoms of VL in humans and dogs after the campaign.

Is the RACHS-1 (risk adjustment in congenital heart surgery) a useful tool in our scenario?

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the RACHS-1 (Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery) as a predictor of surgical mortality in a pediatric population of a public hospital of the Northeast of Brazil.

Methods: From June 2001 through June 2004, 145 patients undergone surgical treatment of CHD in our institution of whom 62% were female, and the mean age was 5.1 years.