Analysis of the socio-environmental vulnerability of black and Caucasian pregnant women in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil to the occurrence of microcephaly associated with the congenital syndrome of zika virus

Abstract

To understand the occurrence of the Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), the living conditions of pregnant individuals must be considered in order to identify factors and areas of risk. An intersectional approach provides an understanding of the vulnerabilities to which Black women are subjected. To that end, we present an overview of the spatio-temporal distribution of confirmed cases of microcephaly associated with CZS during the 2015-2016 period in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil based on a survey of Black and Caucasian, pregnant women seen through the intersectional lens of race and class. To consider the confirmed cases of microcephaly and other neurological anomalies associated with CZS, a Living Condition Index (LCI) was utilized to rate the socio-environmental vulnerability of pregnant women. There was less information in the notification records with regard to Black, pregnant women resulting in fewer examinations. Twelve, highrisk areas for Black, pregnant women were identified but only two for Caucasian women. CZS cases referred to Black, pregnant women were found to be concentrated in census sectors with a low (31.6%) and very low (34.5%) LCI, while those referred to Caucasian, pregnant women were concentrated in areas with a high (35.6%) and intermediate (29.4%) LCI. The study concludes that inequities in health expose different population groups to different forms of illnesses, and institutional racism solidifies scenarios of exclusion. In this sense, Black women experiences manifest directly in their health. Confrontation with arboviruses requires the implementation of inter-institutional policies aimed at overcoming discriminatory practices of exposure.