Environmental and Life Conditions Associated with Childhood Diarrhea in the Rural Area in Southern Brazil: an Exploratory Study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the conditions of basic sanitation and its association with the prevalence of cases of childhood diarrhea in the rural area of the municipality of Alpestre (Brazil).   Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a cross-sectional epidemiological study. Data collection was carried out through a survey of information conducted through home interviews. Socioeconomic conditions and basic sanitation were investigated, in addition to caregiver-reported diarrhea in children. For data alnalysis, the information contained in the questionnaires was entered into a database in the Epi InfoTM software.   Results and Discussion: This study can be an example of the one health concept approach. The results obtained revealed the prevalence of 13.4% of diarrhea had been associated with factors of the peri-domiciliary environment such as the quality of the water consumed and its storage, sewage treatment, the presence of domestic animals on the rural property, solid waste destination, and socioeconomic conditions.   Research Implications: Social and economic policies in favor of environmental health are essential, especially for the health of children. Community health agents are important to the application of public policies related to health education, aiming to expand access to sanitation services and improve conditions in rural areas with a focus on the most vulnerable families.   Originality/Value: The relevance of this research is its contribution to the literature by showing tha rural areas have difficult socio-economic conditions, the prevalence of diarrhea was associated with poor sanitation, and public policies related to health education for rural population are needed.