Human capital, social exclusion, and health indicators in riverside communities of the Northern Reach of the Paraguay River, Corumbá, MS, Brazil

Abstract

Riverside communities in the southern Pantanal of Brazil face historical exclusion and structural vulnerabilities in accessing fundamental rights. This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic, economic, and health indicators of riverside communities in the Northern Reach of the Paraguay River, Corumbá, MS, using the frameworks of human capital and social exclusion. A mixed-methods study was conducted, combining a retrospective analysis of data from the Brazilian Navy and a prospective cross-sectional phase between October 24 and 31, 2022, involving five communities and 84 participants. The Rapid Participatory Appraisal technique was employed. Most participants were adults (55.9%), women (57.1%), and self-identified as Black or Brown (78.6%). Illiteracy affected 14.6% of adults and 64.3% of older adults. The average per capita income was R$644.44, with 59.3% engaged in informal employment. The average fertility rate was 4.9 children per woman, and only 29.1% reported using contraceptives. Incomplete vaccination was reported by 26.2% of participants, and 36.9% were overweight or obese. Dependence on SUS (Brazil’s Unified Health System) reached 97.6%, and 44.1% had not received medical care in the past two years. The findings reveal intersecting vulnerabilities in access to healthcare, education, and income, highlighting the need for integrated, place-based public policies.