A vigilância epidemiológica e as endemias: o caso da fluorose em São Francisco-MG

Abstract

In the rural area of São Francisco in the State of Minas Gerais - MG, there is a high avalability of fluoride in the soil. During the 80´s, deep wells were open in the area in order to provide water to the population. In 1995, FUNASA identified a fluorosis endemy in the place, related to the high amount of fluoride in the water consumed by rural population. A qualitative research was carried out to analyse the performance of the government, considering this current endemy, through semi-structured interviews and local observations. A total of 12 individuals were included: 4 with fluorosis, 4 from public services and 4 from the community. Interviews were recorded and, after written out, they were analysed (content analysis) according to themes and categories. Results were shown in three items: 1 identification of the problem: at first, diagnosis was misunderstood, slow and difficult because of the lack of population access to health services; 2 actions carried out: multiple disperse, descontinued and vertical actions, with little participation of the population; 3 situation at the present time: the problem of high amount of fluoride remains to the most part of the population reached, solution for the problem is not clear and the treatment of the fluorosis was not done. The local public service waits for external aid, without it they do not see any solution, justifiying with the lack of financial resource. Despite the current health public actions in Brazil and the consequences of the problem to the population, local public service, even with its development, could not assume the responsability for the necessary solution yet.