Health problems in the bijahual sugarcane community, ecuador

The study assessed the main health problems in the Cañales de Bijahual community, Manabí, Ecuador, to identify predominant conditions and associated factors. A cross-sectional design with qualitative and quantitative methods was used, involving a sample of 77 adult residents. Structured and semi-structured surveys were conducted in households, and a ranking of issues was carried out through brainstorming sessions with residents to prioritize the most urgent problems. The results revealed a high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, affecting 22.08% and 20.78% of the population, respectively. The ranking identified the most critical issues as contamination from animal farming, the increase of ticks, and garbage accumulation, followed by excessive pesticide use and the rise of viral diseases. It was concluded that interventions are needed to improve environmental management and health programs.