Resumen

ARNIELLA PEREZ, Angela. Distribución territorial de los factores de riesgo y morbilidad por hepatitis viral A en Güines. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2003, vol.29, n.4. ISSN 0864-3466.

The development of a region necessarily implies the solution of environmental problems inherent to urban development that affect the population’s quality of life. The health status is fundamental to improve the quality of life, so it may be said that there is no development without health. Health and development are closely related, thus the health conditions of a country are one of the most significant indicators to measure its level of development. Viral hepatitis A is very related to the hygienic-sanitary conditions in Cuba and is regarded as an indigenous disease. Taking this into consideration, this research work was aimed at identifying and evaluating the territorial behavior of risk factors affecting viral hepatitis A transmission in Güines, so as to set a stratification aimed at the surveillance and control of this nosological entity in the studied territories and valid for implementing a plan of action and intervention to prevent and surveil this disease in the territory. The variables that may represent risk factors in people’s councils of Guines municipality were selected. Based on these variables, a risk stratification was made using Geographic Information System, MAPINFO 5.5, and following the fixed or fixed weighing indexes methodology to determine viral hepatitis A transmission strata and to classify low, medium and high risks and also to set priority areas for intervention and allocation of resources. For these areas, the adequate intervention measures were prepared. The digital mapping of Guines municipality was made, which allowed the territorial analysis of risk factors by creating the different spatial information levels that made it possible to prepare the various thematic maps. These maps facilitated the understanding and analysis of the problem. This paper is intended to strengthen the prevention and surveillance of viral hepatitis A in Havana province and particularly in Guines municipality since it presents a methodology that favors the concentration of efforts in priority areas so that the taken measures be more effective in the control of transmission, the prevention and the clinical-epidemiological surveillance of this disease. The results are given in tables, graphs and maps

Palabras clave : HEPATITIS, VIRAL; HUMAN; HEPATITIS A [epidemiology]; HEPATITIS A [prevention & CONTROL]; HEPATITIS A [transmission]; RISK FACTORS; EPIDEMILOGY SURVEILLANCE; GEOGRAHY; TOPOGRAPHY; MEDICAL; ENVIRONMENTAL.