Experiences and challenges of the coronavirus pandemic in a quilombola community
1
1.Postgraduate Program in Nursing and Health,, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
2
2.Postgraduate Program in Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) exposed and exacerbated historical inequalities, disproportionately affecting structurally marginalized populations such as quilombola communities. Addressing health emergencies in these contexts demands culturally sensitive, territorially grounded, and racially equitable strategies that acknowledge sociocultural, historical, and territorial specificities. However, gaps persist in the scientific literature regarding the experiences and strategies adopted by quilombola communities, underscoring the need for studies that amplify these processes. This study analyzed experiences and strategies for COVID-19 handling in the Praia Grande quilombola community, Ilha de Maré, Salvador, Bahia.
METHODS:
This quanti-qualitative, mixed-methods study integrated the collection and analysis of epidemiological data, residents' narratives, and researchers' territorial immersion. Analysis encompassed social, cultural, health, and historical dimensions, emphasizing therapeutic itineraries and traditional knowledge mobilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS:
Key barriers to COVID-19 response included limited healthcare access, lack of basic sanitation, food insecurity, and case underreporting. Women played a central role in care organization, information dissemination, and family support. Children and adolescents faced educational, emotional, and nutritional setbacks due to school closures. Mapped therapeutic itineraries combined biomedical practices, medicinal plants, spirituality preservation, and strengthened community support networks. Despite adversities, high community resilience emerged through solidarity, cultural identity maintenance, and reinforced collective bonds.
CONCLUSIONS:
This experience highlights that recognizing quilombola agency and integrating traditional knowledge are essential for strategic pandemic planning and inclusive public policy formulation. Articulating academia, community, and health services emerges as a key element for more effective responses, reaffirming health equity as a core principle in building resilient, socially committed systems.
The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) exposed and exacerbated historical inequalities, disproportionately affecting structurally marginalized populations such as quilombola communities. Addressing health emergencies in these contexts demands culturally sensitive, territorially grounded, and racially equitable strategies that acknowledge sociocultural, historical, and territorial specificities. However, gaps persist in the scientific literature regarding the experiences and strategies adopted by quilombola communities, underscoring the need for studies that amplify these processes. This study analyzed experiences and strategies for COVID-19 handling in the Praia Grande quilombola community, Ilha de Maré, Salvador, Bahia.
METHODS:
This quanti-qualitative, mixed-methods study integrated the collection and analysis of epidemiological data, residents' narratives, and researchers' territorial immersion. Analysis encompassed social, cultural, health, and historical dimensions, emphasizing therapeutic itineraries and traditional knowledge mobilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS:
Key barriers to COVID-19 response included limited healthcare access, lack of basic sanitation, food insecurity, and case underreporting. Women played a central role in care organization, information dissemination, and family support. Children and adolescents faced educational, emotional, and nutritional setbacks due to school closures. Mapped therapeutic itineraries combined biomedical practices, medicinal plants, spirituality preservation, and strengthened community support networks. Despite adversities, high community resilience emerged through solidarity, cultural identity maintenance, and reinforced collective bonds.
CONCLUSIONS:
This experience highlights that recognizing quilombola agency and integrating traditional knowledge are essential for strategic pandemic planning and inclusive public policy formulation. Articulating academia, community, and health services emerges as a key element for more effective responses, reaffirming health equity as a core principle in building resilient, socially committed systems.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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