Risk factors for the occurrence of schistosomiasis mansoni in a quilombola community in an endemic area in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To identify the risk factors related to Schistosomiasis mansoni in a quilombola community located in a highly endemic area in the Northeast of Brazil. Methods: This is an ecological epidemiological study conducted with 497 individuals, of both sexes aged over 4 years. Information on sociodemographic, economic, and environmental data from the quilombola community of Patioba was collected through a questionnaire, stored in an Excel database, and evaluated by descriptive statistics. Results: From the sample, 53.92% were women and 46.08% men, approximately 43.25% of the population had incomplete elementary education, 58.35% had a family income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, 49.89% disposed sewage in the street, 95.97% stated they had household garbage collection, 88.93% reported consuming well water, 65.19% reported having contact with natural waters, 26.15% had undergone diagnostic testing for schistosomiasis, and 15.69% had tested positive for the disease. During the visits, several snail breeding sites were observed. Conclusion: The absence of water supply and sewage treatment, the low socioeconomic status of the studied families, and the significant presence of the parasite's intermediate hosts in the streets of the settlement are strong indicators that this population is exposed to the risk of contracting the disease.