Sanitation infrastructure and child health vulnerability in indigenous territories of Northeastern Brazil
1
Collective Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Ministry of Health, Recife, Brazil
2
Collective Health, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
3
Dentistry, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1905
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Brazilian indigenous peoples experience persistent structural inequalities in access to public policies, particularly sanitation. Pernambuco, located in northeastern Brazil, hosts one of the largest indigenous populations in the country. In this context, indigenous children are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases and conditions associated with inadequate water supply and sanitation, increasing the need for continuous preventive healthcare.1-3 This study examined the relationship between pediatric healthcare demand and sanitation infrastructure in indigenous territories of Pernambuco.
METHODS:
A descriptive study was conducted using secondary data from the indigenous health care information system (SIASI) from 2019 to 2022 and the planinfra database of the Brazilian ministry of health. The volume of routine child health examinations among children under five years of age was analyzed and compared with the spatial and temporal distribution of water supply and sanitation infrastructure projects.
RESULTS:
a total of 21536 routine child health examinations were recorded during the study period. A pronounced reduction in follow up visits was observed in 2020 followed by recovery in 2021. the municipalities of carnaubeira da penha (4194 examinations) and pesqueira (3760 examinations) accounted for the highest absolute numbers. However cross analysis with planinfra data revealed significant service gaps. municipalities with high indigenous child population density such as águas belas (1474 examinations) had no contracted sanitation projects in the current infrastructure database. Conversely pesqueira concentrated the largest volume of recent investments including three sanitation projects and one health related project indicating localized mitigation efforts.
CONCLUSIONS:
high demand for routine child health examinations highlights the dependence of preventive care on adequate sanitation infrastructure. The absence of sanitation investments in indigenous territories with substantial child populations such as those inhabited by the fulni-ô people represents a critical epidemiological vulnerability. Strengthening sanitation infrastructure is essential to promote equitable effective and sustainable indigenous child health surveillance.
Brazilian indigenous peoples experience persistent structural inequalities in access to public policies, particularly sanitation. Pernambuco, located in northeastern Brazil, hosts one of the largest indigenous populations in the country. In this context, indigenous children are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases and conditions associated with inadequate water supply and sanitation, increasing the need for continuous preventive healthcare.1-3 This study examined the relationship between pediatric healthcare demand and sanitation infrastructure in indigenous territories of Pernambuco.
METHODS:
A descriptive study was conducted using secondary data from the indigenous health care information system (SIASI) from 2019 to 2022 and the planinfra database of the Brazilian ministry of health. The volume of routine child health examinations among children under five years of age was analyzed and compared with the spatial and temporal distribution of water supply and sanitation infrastructure projects.
RESULTS:
a total of 21536 routine child health examinations were recorded during the study period. A pronounced reduction in follow up visits was observed in 2020 followed by recovery in 2021. the municipalities of carnaubeira da penha (4194 examinations) and pesqueira (3760 examinations) accounted for the highest absolute numbers. However cross analysis with planinfra data revealed significant service gaps. municipalities with high indigenous child population density such as águas belas (1474 examinations) had no contracted sanitation projects in the current infrastructure database. Conversely pesqueira concentrated the largest volume of recent investments including three sanitation projects and one health related project indicating localized mitigation efforts.
CONCLUSIONS:
high demand for routine child health examinations highlights the dependence of preventive care on adequate sanitation infrastructure. The absence of sanitation investments in indigenous territories with substantial child populations such as those inhabited by the fulni-ô people represents a critical epidemiological vulnerability. Strengthening sanitation infrastructure is essential to promote equitable effective and sustainable indigenous child health surveillance.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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