ADAPTATION OF THE INDICATOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH (ISA): A CASE STUDY IN POVOADO BOM JARDIM, ITABAIANA – SE

Abstract

Environmental health is a citizen right and must be ensured by public policy. This work aim to adapt the original model of the Environmental Salubrity Indicator (ISA) and to apply in a rural community called Bom Jardim, in Itabaiana/SE, Brazil. The proposed model (ISA/BJ) contains eight sub-indicators that take into account characteristics of the study’s area, and data were collected though the application of questionnaire. The community status was of “Average Health”, with a final score of 66.97 points. The main weaknesses found were in relation to aspects of basic sanitation, such as water supply, sewer systems, irregular final disposal of solid waste and lack of vector control, besides deficient level of education. In contrast, it was identified a great level of solids waste collection, acceptable public space, admissible housing conditions for majority and population apparently satisfied with their residences. Thus, it was considered that investments in the region should be prioritized to improve basic sanitation conditions, considering the direct impact of these aspects on environmental health conditions and low values encountered.