Water, Sanitation and Health in Brazil: A Health Impact Survey in Apiai-Mirim and Ferreira Dos Matos, Sao Paulo

摘要

The report presents the results of a health impact survey carried out in two villages, Apiai-Mirim and Ferreira dos Matos, in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study is part of the Projeto Saneamento Rural of the Brazilian government, which aims to help the population in rural areas to obtain 'Clean water and sanitation adequate for all, by the year 1990', goal of the International Water Decade. The objectives of the study are to carry out a health impact survey by means of a quasi-experimental design and to gain experience with and transfer knowledge of health impact evaluation. It can be stated that the functioning and use of the water supply and sanitation facilities is better in Ferreira dos Matos than in Apiai-Mirim. Also the health situation is better in Ferreira dos Matos; significant differences have been found in diarrhea incidence and in worms and protozoa prevalence.