Conhecimentos e atitudes da comunidade sobre doenças intestinais de veiculação hídrica no município de Lago dos Rodrigues, Estado do Maranhão

Abstract

Water is an essential element for the maintenance of life on the planet. However, when contaminated with human and animal feces, it constitutes a source of pathogenic microorganisms that cause Waterborne Intestinal Diseases (WIDs). Poverty and social inequality in access to drinking water and basic sanitation are factors associated with high levels of incidence of these diseases. In addition, the lack of knowledge about preventive measures can contribute considerably to its spread. The Brazilian Northeast region has one of the highest percentages of poverty in the country, with a precarious basic sanitation system, concentrating the largest number of hospitalizations for infectious and intestinal parasitic diseases. The municipality of Lago dos Rodrigues, located in the State of Maranhão, has the necessary requirements to have a high occurrence of WIDs, since it is below the poverty level and presents unsatisfactory conditions of the basic sanitation system. The research aims to analyze the level of knowledge and attitudes of the community in the municipality of Lago do Rodrigues, State of Maranhão, about WIDs. This is an observational and cross-sectional study to seek information on the level of knowledge of the referred community about the WIDs. For data collection, a questionnaire was applied from February to March 2022. This study had the participation of 400 people, most of them female with 265 (66.25%). The most cited education level of the population was incomplete elementary school, by 162 responses (40.50%). Forty four professions were described, with the majority of individuals being Rural Workers (54.50%). In the analyzed population, 163 people (40.75%) had reported cases of WIDs, with diarrhea being the most cited symptom by the community with 131 responses (77.98%). However, there was a low occurrence of WIDs symptoms in the sampled community in the last year (2021). As for community attitudes, 194 individuals (48.50%) said they had already resorted to home remedies or teas to relieve diarrhea and/or vomiting. It was observed that 228 participants (57.00%) do not know of any parasite that causes intestinal disease. In the community, 375 participants (93.75%) had already performed the parasitological examination of feces. Regarding the treatment of feces, in 334 households (83.50%) there is a bathroom inside the house and, in 385 (96.25%), there is a septic tank. As for the final destination of domestic waste, the waste of 390 participants (97.50%) is taken by municipal collection. Most respondents, with 269 answers (67.25%), have pets, and 357 people (89.25%) know that some animals can be reservoirs of parasites that cause intestinal diseases. This study made it possible to visualize the level of knowledge of the Lago dos Rodrigues community, as well as their behaviors about WIDs. The data from this study are important as a historical record and as a reference for the elaboration of education and health strategies, especially educational campaigns, which will be developed by local health agencies.