Health problems among the Kaingáng (Xapecó Indigenous Reserve, Santa Catarina) and the health care system

Abstract

The second semester of 1999 was a transition period for the implementation of the Special Indigenous Health District on the Xapecó Indigenous Reserve in western Santa Catarina State. The health clinic in the main village provided treatment with a staff including a general practitioner/obstetrician, pediatrician, dentist, nurse, two nursing assistants, and four nursing technicians. This paper presents the preliminary results of research on the organization of these health care services, their use by the community, and the health/disease profile of the Kaingáng, using patient files as the source of information. In September 1999, a total of 222 Indians were treated (children and adults), 50.5% of whom residing in the main village. Among the Indians ages 0 to 14 years, infectious and parasitic diseases were the most frequent, supporting the idea that the Kaingáng have precarious sanitary and nutritional conditions. Use of the clinic by adults was more varied, since of the 116 who appeared for consultation, 27 were pregnant women (out of a total of 86 women). In addition, prescriptions were written up for children and adults in 85.0% and 81.8% of the consultations, respectively.