Social Exclusion and Infectious Diseases on Children from Cajazeiras – Paraíba – Brazil

Abstract

SUMMARY Objectives: To analyze clinical data and social exclusion factors of children from Cajazeiras – Paraíba – Brazil. Material and Methods: Retrospective study from a total of 500 cases of children with infectious diseases who were cared for at Hospital Infantil in Cajazeiras - Paraíba - Brazil, from 2003 to 2006. Clinical data such as sex, age group and diseases’ clinical manifestations were obtained from medical records and socio-economical variables were gathered by interviewing the parents. Results: Gastroenterocolitis (39.6%) was the most common manifestation observed, followed by pneumonia (27.4%). Diarrhea (198 cases, productive cough (137 cases) and intense dyspnea (86 cases) were the most evident clinical manifestations. 57.2% were male and 43.8% female and most prevalent age group was 0 to 2 years old (64.8%). AAIn addition, a meaningful correlation was found among the situations of precarious housing conditions (55%), low education level (45%) and low salaries, and with infectious diseases incidence. Conclusions: These socio-economical factors were important for the prognostic of children with infectious-immunological diseases who were admitted by the hospital. DESCRIPTORS Infectious diseases. Education. Basic sanitation. Family income