[Health risk factors associated with housing habitability in high vulnerability areas in Bogotá, Colombia]
Cesar A García-Ubaque1, Juan C García-Ubaque2, Paula F García-Benítez3
1CG: Ing. Civil. Esp. Manejo Integrado del Medio Ambiente. M. Sc. Ing. Ambiental. Ph. D. Ingeniería. Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. Bogotá, Colombia. cagarciau@udistrital.edu.co.
Objectives:
To evaluate the habitability conditions of dwellings and their impact on human health in Mochuelo Bajo, sector in Bogota Colombia, within the framework of the Healthy Habitat project led by the Housing, Habitat and Social Innovation Center (CENVIS).
Methods:
A tool was developed for field data collection about socioeconomic and healthy conditions of housing units and families assigned to the project. After which, a quantitative analysis was performed in order to answer to the stablished objective.
Results:
It was found through the tool application: a) inadequate supply, storage and management of drinking water, b) poor disposal of human excreta and solid household waste, c) poor management of rainwater use, d) inadequate coexistence with domestic and consumption animals, e) interior air pollution and f) self-construction systems with unsafe materials and without technical advice.
Conclusions:
In the Mochuelo Bajo sector there were found generalized shortcomings related to an inadequate supplying and usage of potable water, a wrong disposition of human excreta and of solid household waste. At the same time, there are shortcomings in terms of rainwater and coexistence with animals, both domestic and for consumption.
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