Health and environment: analysis of the environmental quality percepton of the populaton from Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte state

Abstract

Considering the importance of knowledge of the populaton's percepton as the first line of understanding of environmental quality, this study aimed to investgate the environmental percepton of residents of the city of Caicó, RN, in additon to the health characteristcs of the populaton and their socioeconomic context as descriptors of environmental quality. Thus, the analysis was carried out through the applicaton of a semi-structured questonnaire, approved by the Research Ethics Commitee, covering characteristcs related to the conceptons and conditons related to the environmental scenario of human development, social habits along with health characteristcs. A total of 140 interviews were conducted in 7 neighborhoods in the city describing the reality of approximately 600 residents. Significant differences in socioeconomic conditons were found in the profile of responses obtained. One of the most salient aspects was the polarizaton of environmental sanitaton, compromising the quality of water resources and describing this as one of the most relevant factors that can affect the populaton's health. The level of environmental satsfacton was differentated according to the origin (neighborhood or socioeconomic status classificaton) of the interviewees (p<0.01). However, the level of environmental percepton was closely related to the degree of interacton between the populaton and the environment as one of the causes that influenced the approach and resoluton of environmental concerns (p<0.01). In this way, this study described the interacton of society with the environmental context of local development and its role as a subsidy for the implementaton of public policies aimed at preserving environmental quality and minimizing health impacts. The implementaton and strengthening of environmental educaton actvites would contribute to the populaton's awareness and sensitzaton in this regard.

Keywords
water scarcity; environmental health; environmental management; environmental percepton; pollution