Social Vulnerability and Rainfall: Impacts on Collective Health

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the prevalence of waterborne infectious diseases in the city of Limoeiro do Ajuru and the risk of flooding. Method: To obtain the data, data from the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS), cases of acute diarrhea and respiratory infections in the rainy period 2007 to 2017 were analyzed in the database of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). To obtain the rainfall data for the Joana Coeli Station from 2007 to 2017, a consultation was carried out on the website of the National Water Agency (ANA).Results: The supply of treated water in the flood risk area is mostly improvised; there is also a lack of septic tanks, problems that contribute to soil and water contamination in the rainiest season, factors that lead to the emergence of waterborne diseases and respiratory problems. Conclusion: The study indicates that, in the research site, the areas of risk of flooding, combined with social and environmental vulnerability associated with high rainfall, cause the appearance of acute diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infections in individuals in the locality.