Renata Ferraz de Toledo

Prevalência de parasitos intestinais e aspectos socioambientais em comunidade indígena no Distrito de Iauaretê, Município de São Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM), Brasil

Situado em Terra Indigena do Alto Rio Negro, Iauarete e o segundo maior polo de concentracao humana no municipio de Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira (AM) e agrega dez vilas, com 15 etnias. Esse distrito indigena vem sofrendo processo de transformacao progressiva de padrao de ocupacao disperso e ribeirinho para nucleo com feicoes urbanas, com aproximadamente 2700 habitantes, desencadeando problemas de saude publica. Com objetivo de investigar a distribuicao de prevalencias de parasitos intestinais na populacao local e discutir a relacao desse indicador de saude com aspectos socioambientais no distrito de Iauarete, foram realizadas analises da qualidade da agua de abastecimento e exames parasitologicos em amostras de fezes e solo. Do total de amostras de agua analisadas, 89,2% apresentaram resultado positivo para coliformes termotolerantes. Identificou-se que a vila Dom Bosco foi a que apresentou maior indice de prevalencia em amostras fecais com 76% dos individuos parasitados. A vila Sao Jose apresentou o menor indice com 56%. Os parasitos mais prevalentes em amostras fecais positivas foram, em ordem decrescente, Ascaris lumbricoides (64,84%), Entamoeba coli (32,58%), Endolimax nana (14,84%) e Blastoyistis hominis (13,39%). Em amostras de solo as prevalencias mais significativas foram de ovos de Ascaris sp (52,6%), cistos de Entamoeba coli (52,6%) e larvas de ancilostomideos (52,6%). Concluiu-se que os altos indices de parasitoses intestinais na populacao, aliados a falta de saneamento basico e a manutencao de praticas sanitarias tradicionais constituem um quadro preocupante em saude publica.

Condições sanitárias e socioambientais em Iauaretê, área indígena em São Gabriel da Cachoeira, AM

OBJETIVOS: Descrever condicoes sanitarias e socioambientais relevantes a saude dos habitantes da sede do distrito de Iauarete, area indigena na Amazonia brasileira que se destaca pela concentracao populacional. METODOS: A metodologia adotada foi quali-quantitativa e o metodo da pesquisa-acao foi utilizado principalmente para abordagens qualitativas, viabilizadas em reunioes comunitarias com indigenas e pesquisadores nas vilas componentes da sede do distrito. Foram construidos mapas-falantes; realizadas entrevistas; estudos da disposicao de residuos solidos; localizacao, amostragem e analise da agua de consumo humano; e aplicacao de tecnica de georeferenciamento. RESULTADOS: Das 65 amostras de agua analisadas, 89,2% apresentaram presenca de coliformes fecais.Quanto aos residuos solidos, nao havia nenhuma solucao sanitariamente correta para os mesmos. As praticas sanitarias dos indigenas eram preocupantes do ponto de vista de saude publica e destoantes em relacao ao relativo conhecimento dos mesmos. CONCLUSOES: A peculiar problematica associada ao modo de vida imposto por uma sociedade envolvente demanda, para o equacionamento de questoes de saude coletiva, o desenvolvimento de acoes conjuntas nos campos da infra-estrutura e da educacao em saude, preconizando a participacao da comunidade local.

Pesquisa-ação e educação: compartilhando princípios na construção de conhecimentos e no fortalecimento comunitário para o enfrentamento de problemas

This paper aims to promote a reflection on the methodology of action research and on its principles, application and contributions to the education field. Action research is characterized by the involvement of social groups in decision-making, as well as other participatory methods, it emerges from dissatisfaction with traditional methods of research. This type of research also refers to the need to promote a better coordination between theory and practice in knowledge production and troubleshooting. To enrich the discussion, in a complementary way, it presents an overview of the action research development in education from a literature review.

Mobilização social em saúde e saneamento em processo de pesquisa-ação em uma comunidade indígena no noroeste amazônico

Abstract The living conditions of the inhabitants of Iauarete, an indigenous area in the municipality of Sao Ga-briel da Cachoeira, State of Amazonas (Northern Brazil), have been negatively affected by popula-tion density, poor sanitation and maintenance of sanitation practices that are incompatible with that reality. To improve the population’s quality of life, sanitation systems that are adequate to the local so-cio-cultural characteristics should be implemented, as well as educational processes with emphasis on social mobilization and community empowerment. The aim of this paper is to report and discuss a train -ing course on health and sanitation using action research, directed to the mobilization of the Iauarete indigenous people, with the objective of assisting other studies of this nature. In the meetings, issues related to environmental health were discussed, a Community Newspaper was constructed, the course participants made interviews and drew up claims documents. This experience has enhanced the participants’ understanding of local problems and of the importance of social mobilization for the dialogue with governmental institutions that are responsible for providing sanitation services and for seeking better living conditions. The researchers and teachers of the training course benefitted from the construction of collective knowledge resulting from interaction with subjects of the investigated situation and from the recognition and redefinition of their representations, fulfilling the fundamental premise of action research.Keywords: Social Mobilization; Popular Partici-pation; Action Research; Sanitation; Indigenous community.

Urbanidade rural, território e sustentabilidade: relações decontato em uma comunidade indígena no noroeste amazônico

This article discusses representations of rural urbanity, territory and sustainability in the context of established relations among the indigenous and the non-indigenous society, or among different ethnic groups that inhabit the Iauarete District, located at the Upper Rio Negro, North-western Amazon. It also talks about the relationship between the inhabitants and their environment

Challenges to participation in action research

In order to understand and take action in complex health and environmental issues, we intend to analyse the conditions that are needed for those at risk to participate in research and intervention projects. In this study, we describe and discuss an action research experience carried out with an indigenous community in the Brazilian Amazon that suffers from serious sanitary problems, where cultural aspects in the relationship with the environment and health are particularly relevant. Different types of tools were deployed and combined and were subsequently classified according to their dialectic efficacy and ability to both conduct and steer the research and encourage the participation of social actors within a process of feedback. Even tools that were considered to be non-dialectic proved to be important sources of feedback. We present a research flow as a model of analysis and a framework for implementing action research, in which challenges to the participation of social actors are classified according to their priority through a critical review of the methodology developed. These challenges are social mobilization, co-operation, appropriation and a proactive stance. We conclude that a cyclic combination of dialectic and non-dialectic tools can increase participation, which though difficult to achieve is nevertheless necessary. During the development of this process, social mobilization is a prerequisite, whereas a proactive stance, the highest level of participation, requires continuous effort and the successive deployment of a variety of tools.

A pesquisa-ação em estudos interdisciplinares: análise de critérios que só a prática pode revelar

Este artigo propoe uma reflexao sobre criterios para a metodologia da pesquisa-acao, visando contribuir para o atendimento de premissas necessarias a aplicacao e melhoria da qualidade de investigacoes participativas, em contextos socioambientais e de saude. Para a construcao desta estrutura de abordagem, foram utilizados resultados da analise de dissertacoes e teses sobre pesquisa-acao de carater interdisciplinar, na interface das areas saude, educacao e ambiental. A analise de situacoes praticas permitiu identificar elementos favoraveis ao alcance dos objetivos de uma pesquisa-acao e compreensao de sua dinâmica organizacional. Foram estabelecidos os seguintes criterios: flexibilidade metodologica; combinacao de multiplos instrumentos de pesquisa e intervencao; e o nivel de participacao e cooperacao dos/e entre sujeitos e pesquisadores. A pesquisa-acao revela-se como uma adequada proposta frente a desafios interdisciplinares quando executada contemplando os criterios aqui estudados.This paper proposes a reflection on the criteria for the methodology of action research, with the aiming of contributing towards meeting the premises required for application and improvement of the quality of participatory research in socioenvironmental and healthcare contexts. To construct this approach structure, the results from analysis of dissertations and thesis on action research were used in an interdisciplinary manner, at the interfaces between the fields of health, education and the environment. Analysis on practical situations made it possible to identify elements favoring attainment of the objectives of action research and understanding of the organizational dynamics. The following criteria were established: methodological flexibility; combination of multiple research and intervention tools; and levels of cooperation and participation among subjects and researchers. Action research was shown to be an appropriate proposal in the light of the interdisciplinary challenges when applied taking into account the criteria studied here.

A temática ambiental em representações e práticas de profissionais de saúde da família no município de Manaus - AM/Brasil

Abstract There are abundant scientific evidences showing that the increased risk of exposure to diseases is a consequence of anthropogenic environmental changes. In the Family Health Strategy, tasks with a clear environmental focus are prescribed, indicating to the professional teams that they should consider these aspects in their health practices. The objective of this research was to study representations and practices of Family Health Professionals of Ma-naus – State of Amazonas, Northern Brazil – about environmental issues and their interface with public health. Data were collected by means of participant observation and semi-structured interviews, and the qualitative analysis was carried out through Content Analysis and Methodological Triangula-tion. The results showed that most professionals do not understand the environment in a systemic way, even though they recognize the great impact that environmental factors have on human health; as interventions, the educational practices follow traditional methodologies and focus on blaming the individual and on the simple transmission of knowledge; the professionals’ relationship with the community is limited to personal and/or collective care. It is concluded that in order to the Family Health Strategy to contribute to restructure the system, it is essential to redirect this new health policy model so that it becomes effective as a social and environmental practice.Keywords: Environmental Health; Family Health; Health Personnel; Health Promotion.

Action research in interdisciplinary studies: analysis on criteria that can be revealed only through practice

Este artigo propoe uma reflexao sobre criterios para a metodologia da pesquisa-acao, visando contribuir para o atendimento de premissas necessarias a aplicacao e melhoria da qualidade de investigacoes participativas, em contextos socioambientais e de saude. Para a construcao desta estrutura de abordagem, foram utilizados resultados da analise de dissertacoes e teses sobre pesquisa-acao de carater interdisciplinar, na interface das areas saude, educacao e ambiental. A analise de situacoes praticas permitiu identificar elementos favoraveis ao alcance dos objetivos de uma pesquisa-acao e compreensao de sua dinâmica organizacional. Foram estabelecidos os seguintes criterios: flexibilidade metodologica; combinacao de multiplos instrumentos de pesquisa e intervencao; e o nivel de participacao e cooperacao dos/e entre sujeitos e pesquisadores. A pesquisa-acao revela-se como uma adequada proposta frente a desafios interdisciplinares quando executada contemplando os criterios aqui estudados.This paper proposes a reflection on the criteria for the methodology of action research, with the aiming of contributing towards meeting the premises required for application and improvement of the quality of participatory research in socioenvironmental and healthcare contexts. To construct this approach structure, the results from analysis of dissertations and thesis on action research were used in an interdisciplinary manner, at the interfaces between the fields of health, education and the environment. Analysis on practical situations made it possible to identify elements favoring attainment of the objectives of action research and understanding of the organizational dynamics. The following criteria were established: methodological flexibility; combination of multiple research and intervention tools; and levels of cooperation and participation among subjects and researchers. Action research was shown to be an appropriate proposal in the light of the interdisciplinary challenges when applied taking into account the criteria studied here.

Aplicabilidade da ecologia de saberes em saúde e ambiente e sua permeabilidade na produção acadêmica

A new epistemology makes it imperative for different knowledge to be incorporated in order to understand and interact with the complex problems that affect humanity, especially those associated with health and the environment. The study aims to explore the applicability of the ecology of knowledge in the midst of traditional scientific literature, focusing on participatory approaches to questions of health and the environment. The methodology involved a bibliographic review of an international scientific database, with the inclusion of 170 papers that were classified by their participatory approaches as: timely; multi-tool; and ongoing/cyclic. Although timely and multi-tool approaches may be effective in terms of aggregating popular knowledge, which is systematically marginalized by traditional science, it is in the ongoing/cyclic approaches that a higher level of potential dialogue is achieved, since it is possible to identify aspects inherent to more symmetric participation processes, with the prospect of empowerment of the social actors and legitimate incorporation of subjectivity and diversity. This corresponds to the premise that promoting global cognitive justice is indispensable for achieving global social justice.