Saneamento básico como fator de desenvolvimento: um estudo da mortalidade infantil e da infância no Estado do Paraná

Abstract

The development can be analyzed under different theories. Among them stands out to Amartya Sen, which states that for a region should be developed to expand the capabilities, ie, increase the freedom of choice of individuals. Based on this concept, the universalization of basic sanitation is part of the basic capacities of human beings, which have a direct impact on their epidemiological context. Thus, this work was to analyze the impact of sanitation on mortality of children under one year and the mortality of children under five years, with the unit of analysis the municipalities of the state of Paraná, in census years 2000 and 2010, using the model panel data. Upon receipt of this econometric model and references the dependent variables related to child mortality, as well as independent variables sanitation, socioeconomic and demographic data were selected. The results showed that in Paraná, in general, public policies able to reduce the rates of infant and child mortality under five, so that the state currently has rates below minimum standards listed by the United Nations (UN). The main factors contributing to this decrease were the expansion of water supply services, reducing the female illiteracy rate, the role of the family health program, the greater the income distribution and the degree of urbanization. Contradictory to the panorama in the literature, it was found that the variable of sewage was not significant to explain the reduction of infant mortality and childhood, since the coverage of these services is still precarious in most municipalities. Currently about half of the cities have no sewage collection systems appropriately. Despite reductions in mortality in children in the state in recent years, this decrease occurred unevenly among municipalities, remaining higher rates in the less urban areas, where access to sanitation systems is more complex.