O que é lixo afinal? Como pensam mulheres residentes na periferia de um grande centro urbano

Abstract

Domestic solid waste is cause for current environmental concern in large cities around the world. Little is known about the human health consequences of solid waste disposal in open-air dumps. In addition, there are few studies on people's health practices in relation to solid waste. As the initial step in epidemiological research on the relationship between solid waste and diarrhea, this study describes women's perception of the definition of garbage and the popular understanding of the relationships between garbage and disease, and between garbage and the environment. The study used a qualitative approach in a slum neighborhood in Salvador, Bahia. A total of 13 women were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire in 1999. The FileMaker "diaricamp" application was used for data analysis. Interviewees defined garbage as anything useless and considered it a problem whenever it accumulated in the surroundings producing a bad smell or visual pollution, attracted animals, caused disease in children or adults, or was shifted from the individual to the collective/institutional sphere of action to solve the problem.

Health and self-care among garbage collectors: work experiences in a recyclable garbage cooperative

“…A similar condition was appointed in an earlier study (4) . Being healthy is closely linked with the possibility of being able to work, independently of the conditions the work offers.…”

“…It should be highlighted that the nature of the work itself can compromise workers' physical integrity, besides other mishaps that can affect health. In itself, this problem justifies the interest nurses and other health professionals (4) should dedicate to these workers.…”

Riscos potenciais à saúde de catadores de materiais recicláveis

“…The lack of planning and management of waste disposal can aggravate health conditions and increases the risk of acquiring diseases. Improper disposal of household and uncompromising residue submit workers handling the waste in an attempt to select it, causing diseases such as worms, intestinal infection (diarrhea), influenza, leptospirosis, dengue, meningitis, headache, toothache, fever, allergy, malaise, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, and vomiting 15 . Understanding risk as the probability that an expected or unexpected event becomes a reality, the presence of hazards in the work environment is evident in that the collector of recyclable material is inserted 16 .…”

Epidemiologists working together with anthropologists: lessons from a study to evaluate the epidemiological impact of a city-wide sanitation program

“…The following items were investigated: what trash is, in the subject's view; why trash is a problem; trash and diseases; trash and other environmental factors; and individual and collective responsibility regarding trash. The results from this study have been published in detail elsewhere 38 .…”

“…It was sought in this investigation to achieve a better understanding of the significance of trash: how people define trash and what the relationships are between trash and disease and between trash and other environmental factors. This study aimed to guide the compilation of questions for the epidemiological questionnaire, but the results from this study also added important elements towards the construction of the conceptual model and interpretation of the results of the epidemiological study 38 (Table 3).…”