Study of Nutrition, Health, and Food Security of Indigenous Peoples in the State of Alagoas, Brazil (ENSSAIA): Methodological Aspects

This article describes the methodological aspects of the Study of Nutrition, Health, and Food Security of Indigenous Peoples in Alagoas (ENSSAIA), conducted between August 2022 and December 2023. The objective of ENSSAIA was to investigate the nutrition, health, and food security conditions of indigenous peoples in Alagoas. This was a cross-sectional, population-based household survey assessing all 11 indigenous ethnic groups in the state, with a random selection of 14 out of 29 existing villages. All individuals registered in the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem of the selected villages were eligible for the study. A total of 1400 families were assessed, with data collected on environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic conditions; access to policies and public service infrastructure; household food security; health of children (< 5 years), pregnant women, women (19-59 years), and the elderly (≥ 60 years); breastfeeding practices among children < 2 years; individuals with disabilities and genetic alterations; nutritional status through anthropometric indicators (all household members), biochemical markers: hemoglobin (children aged 6 months to < 5 years and pregnant women), lipid profile, and glycated hemoglobin (women); dietary indicators (women, pregnant women, and children < 5 years); non-communicable diseases; and alcohol and tobacco use (women, men, and elderly). The results produced by ENSSAIA are expected to support the formulation or revision of public policies that ensure greater access to healthcare, healthy food, and improved quality of life for indigenous peoples, considering their traditions, cultures, and ways of life.