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

• Autor(a) principal: Medeiros, Amanda Nogueira
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Navoni, Julio Alejandro
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Interações (Campo Grande. Online)
• Texto Completo: https://interacoes.ucdb.br/interacoes/article/view/3317
• topic: escassez hídrica; saúde ambiental; gestão ambiental; percepção ambiental; poluição; water scarcity; environmental health; environmental management; environmental perception; pollution; escasez de agua; salud ambiental; gestión ambiental; percepción ambiental; polución

Considering the importance of knowledge of the population's perception as the first line of understanding of environmental quality, this study aimed to investigate the environmental perception of residents of the city of Caicó, RN, in addition to the health characteristics of the population and their socioeconomic context as descriptors of environmental quality. Thus, the analysis was carried out through the application of a semi-structured questionnaire, approved by the Research Ethics Committee, covering characteristics related to the conceptions and conditions related to the environmental scenario of human development, social habits along with health characteristics. A total of 140 interviews were conducted in 7 neighborhoods in the city describing the reality of approximately 600 residents. Significant differences in socioeconomic conditions were found in the profile of responses obtained. One of the most salient aspects was the polarization of environmental sanitation, compromising the quality of water resources and describing this as one of the most relevant factors that can affect the population's health. The level of environmental satisfaction was differentiated according to the origin (neighborhood or socioeconomic status classification) of the interviewees (p<0.01). However, the level of environmental perception was closely related to the degree of interaction between the population and the environment as one of the causes that influenced the approach and resolution of environmental concerns (p<0.01). In this way, this study described the interaction of society with the environmental context of local development and its role as a subsidy for the implementation of public policies aimed at preserving environmental quality and minimizing health impacts. The implementation and strengthening of environmental education activities would contribute to the population's awareness and sensitization in this regard.