Socio-environmental maps as tools to characterize the risk of parasitosis in the horticultural peri-urban area of La Plata, Argentina.

Abstract

Characterize the socio-environmental risk associated with parasitic infection based on the analysis of geographic distribution patterns and the population, household, and housing conditions of the productive peri-urban area of La Plata. A "Kernel" density map was used and a Socio-environmental Risk Analysis (SRA) criterion was developed to evaluate the tendency shown by the risk factors of parasitic contamination. The construction of the SRA was based on the variables of the concept of Unsatisfied Basic Needs and Territorial Vulnerability Index. In the "Kernel" density map a similar distribution trend was observed in the points analyzed that determine the presence of parasites, plots with intensive crops and the areas of highest altitude and watersheds of the basins. In the SRA, the majority of the surface area (71%) was important in the characterization of high risk. The houses built with sheet metal and wood, high critical overcrowding, limited access to waste collection, frequent flooding, distances to educational and limited access to health coverage are the variables that contributed most to the risk, confirming that access to drinking water and sewage systems are not the only limiting factors for parasitic infections. Consequently, non-farming families living in the region in conditions of similar materiality and without access to public services present a high risk of contamination by parasitic species. The information analyzed shows that the construction of distributive social policies and preventive health management to mitigate the presence of parasitic species in the region is priority.