Qualidade da água, ocorrência de doenças diarréicas e a percepção higiênico sanitária da população de Tigrinhos - SC

Abstract

Water, essential to life, is considered suitable for human consumption when it meets the standards described in the current legislation, otherwise it may shelter viruses and bacteria that cause numerous diseases, such as acute diarrheal diseases (ADDs), one of the main causes of child deaths worldwide due to dehydration, one of its consequences. However, improvements in sewage services, including access to safe drinking water and the practice of health education interventions, are the main ways of reducing the number of cases of these diseases. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate, from secondary data, the correlation between the occurrence of acute diarrheal diseases, the quality of the groundwater used in the public supply and meteorological data, as well as to identify the hygienic-sanitary perception of the Population of Tigrinhos - SC. The perception data were collected through interviews applied to a representative sample of the population and, afterwards, the data were submitted to the chi-square test in order to identify possible associations. In water quality data, meteorological and aggravating factors, the Spearman correlation test was applied, with a 5% significance. Thus, the present study allowed to verify the existence of a significant negative correlation between the general mean of the free residual chlorine parameter and the total number of diseases, indicating that in the city of Tigrinhos, the number of recorded injuries increases according to the percentage of free residual chlorine decreases. Based on the analysis of hygienic-sanitary perception, it was noticed that there is dissatisfaction among the population about the use of chlorine in the treatment of water and thus, it is expected with the present work to guide the Public Power in the elaboration and execution of health education actions. The present study identified the existence of a relationship between the opinion on water quality and the importance of the disinfection process, indicating that the population understands disinfection as an agent that improves water quality. Finally, the study also found a relationship between the opinion about the importance of the disinfection process and the improvement caused by the same process that is, the participants understand and expect that the addition of chlorine will positively interfere with the quality of the water.