Production of transmission foci for cutaneous leishmaniasis: the case of Pau da Fome, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Este trabalho analisa as caracter??sticas de um dos lugares de transmiss??o de maior relev??ncia da leishmaniose tegumentar na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, considerando sua configura????o territorial e as rela????es desta com processos de organiza????o do espa??o. Utilizou-se o modelo de an??lise do processo de ocupa????o e organiza????o do espa??o urbano, em escala local, considerando-se as novas fun????es adquiridas pelos elementos espaciais expressos por diferentes rela????es de trabalho, uso do solo e valor da terra. Empregaram-se t??cnicas de geoprocessamento e de classifica????o de imagens obtidas por sensoriamento remoto, localiza????o de domic??lios e casos de leishmaniose tegumentar, associados a dados qualitativos sobre o processo hist??rico de ocupa????o e uso do solo. A an??lise mostrou ??reas com distintas condi????es de vulnerabilidade, e que mudan??as destas condi????es viabilizaram a produ????o da epidemia em um determinado per??odo e sua posterior redu????o. O estudo contribui para o monitoramento da enfermidade em n??vel local e para a aplica????o de medidas eficazes para as a????es de vigil??ncia e controle da leishmaniose tegumentar.This study analyzes the characteristics of one of the main foci for cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, examining its territorial configuration and the relations with spatial organization processes. An analytical model was applied to the process of occupation and organization of urban space on a local scale, considering the new functions acquired by the spatial elements expressed by different work relations, land use, and land value. The study employed geoprocessing techniques and classification of images obtained by remote sensing, localization of households, and cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, associated with qualitative data on the historical process of land occupation and use. The analysis detected areas with distinct conditions of vulnerability and showed that changes in these conditions allowed production of the epidemic in a given time period and its subsequent reduction. The study contributes to monitoring of the disease at the local level and application of effective measures for cutaneous leishmaniasis surveillance and control