Living conditions of riverine families residing in affordable housing in Porto Rico, Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

As part of a larger group of ecological studies, this work aimed to determine the living conditions of people residing in the three affordable housing complexes in Porto Rico, Paraná State, Brazil. The sample was comprised of 63 families. One adult per household was interviewed, after informed consent and confidentiality terms were expressed. Socioeconomic data were obtained from the sampled group by means of home surveys, during the months of June 2005 and January 2006. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) software. The results indicated that the majority of residents were young (mean age = 26 years); male; single or living with a partner; 53.5% had completed middle school. Nuclear families prevailed, headed by men, and the occupancy average was 3.5 inhabitants/household. The lines of work were concentrated in urban activities, and family income varied between one and seven times the minimum wage. Despite being a riverine municipality, work opportunities associated with the river and land were scarce. Public policies geared towards education and labor are necessary in order to improve the living conditions of this segment of the population.