Pula Carrapato: o game como ferramenta comunicacional em saúde

Abstract

Introduction: Brazilian Spotted Fever, a tick-borne disease associated with death in southeastern Brazil, has more than 10% of cases confirmed in recent years related to children under nine years of age. It is believed to be opportune to inform about the tick's life cycle and the inadvertent participation of the human being in the transmission of the disease, expecting a change of attitude towards the presented problem. Method: Establish playful narrative through smartphone screens, describing the unusual journey of a friendly tick seeking to complete its life cycle by interacting with potential mammalian hosts in distinct ecological scenarios and eventually triggering spotted fever in humans. Upon the occurrence of infection, a minigame will start by relating the time between diagnosis with the opportunity to appropriate treatment in order to reduce possible damage to the infected organism. Results: The game was developed as a communication resource funded by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, being available for free on the Play Store with the title of Pula Carrapato. Conclusion: the game can be used as an important communication tool in health, contributing to a better understanding of the risk of getting spotted fever and the possible preventive actions to be adopted.