Analysis of the prevention campaigns against dengue, zika and chikungunya arboviruses from the Ministry of Health from the health education and communication perspective

The posters of national campaigns on dengue, zika and chikungunya carried out by the Ministry of Health between 2013 and 2017 for the prevention of arboviruses were analyzed. It is a content analysis with a qualitative approach of 18 advertising pieces collected on the institution’s website. Therefore, besides the textual data contained in the posters, the findings found from the description of the pieces were considered. The analytical thematic categories that emerged from the observation of the material were: mobilization; guidance; and information. After the emergence of chikungunya and zika in 2014 and 2015, respectively, the institution left its annual production from 1 to 3.6 pieces. The layout of the posters following commercial communication techniques logic, without worrying about the difference between a commercial product and a universal right. There is no link with information and communication technologies, and posters hold the population responsible for preventing diseases. The messages about care have changed, with an emphasis on the consequences and sequelae of arboviruses, with no room for education and health promotion. The transmission of information and the imposition of guidelines were found, far from what is proposed by educational communication, which presupposes actions designed according to the needs of users.