ENTEROBACTERIACEAE DIVERSITY AND WATERBORNE DISEASES: ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTION AND SCIENTIFIC DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES IN SEMIARID REGION OF RN – BRAZIL
Semiarid, enterobacteria, waterborne diseases, health education.
The Brazilian semiarid region, located mostly in the Northeast, represents a vulnerable territory and as a result of morphoclimatic characteristics, the population faces problems related to quality and water availability for several months throughout the year. The construction of reservoirs represents an infrastructure that has arisen as an alternative to supply the water need. However, they are reported serious quality problems, which directly affect people's lives. The present study aims to identify the diversity of Enterobacteriaceae in a reservoir used for public supply in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte; to identify the perception of teachers and health agents about the water quality of reservoirs and waterborne diseases; characterize the occurrence of diarrheal diseases of water waterborne in the region; Besides developing health education actions. The collection of water samples were made in the Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves reservoir. In schools and health posts in the region, questionnaires were applied with teachers and health agents to investigate their conceptions regarding water quality, waterborne diseases and to analyze the activities developed by them. The data collection on diarrheal diseases of water transmission in the region between the years 2005 and 2015 was done through the DATASUS database. Educational actions were developed with health workers and teachers from the region. Were identified 14 genera and 27 species of Enterobacteriaceae, among them, important pathogenic representatives responsible for provoking infectious diseases. The perception study revealed that professionals recognize the importance of reservoirs, but many are not aware of the organisms present in their waters; Some of the professionals do not have knowledge about the waterborne diseases, enterobacteria and pathogenicity of bacteria; With regard to the activities carried out, the majority affirms to develop actions to minimize problems related to water contamination, as well as surveillance activities of waterborne diseases. Considerable numbers of cases of diarrheal diseases were verified in the municipalities studied, which is a worrying factor. The actions of health education developed allowed the discussion about the water problem of the semiarid region, promoting sensibilization among those involved. It is important to monitor the presence of microorganisms present in reservoir waters used for public supply, as well as their relation with the occurrence of diseases and the exchange of experiences between the university and the community, in order to sensitize the local population.