**4. Results**

Among 11 CRQs, 208 seniors were interviewed. **Table 1** shows this data. Among these, 54.3% were women, 48.6% were between 60 and 69 years old, and 19.2% were ≥80 years old. Regarding race/skin color, 59.1% declared themselves to be black and 28.9% brown, and 12.0% were classified in other racial groups. The data on marital status indicated that 35.6% are married or have a stable union; 13.5% said they were separated, unmarried, or divorced; and 25% were widowed.

Regarding education 54.3% could not read and write. Most (57.7%) lived with ≥3 people at home and 15.4% lived alone. About 36.0% had family income of less than 1 minimum wage, and 63.9% had income between 1 and 2 minimum wages. Regarding the socioeconomic strata, no elderly were classified in social strata A and B. Most of the elderly were in stratum E (81.3%), 91.8% reported receiving retirement or pension benefits, and 6.7% received *bolsa família*.

Water was supplied by a well or river on the property (59.6%), and only 68.7% had proper water treatment at home. Regarding household toilets, 56.7% have access to a septic tank to dispose dejects, and 14.9% have to do it in the open. Most of the elderly burned household waste (89.4%).

Most resided in four- to seven-room households (68.3%), with 64.4% of the elderly having appropriate material used in the construction of their home walls, 89.9% being constructed of appropriate roofing materials, and only 30.7% had appropriate floor construction material.

**Figure 2** presents the housing conditions and suitability, considering simultaneously the quality of the material used in the construction of the ceiling, walls, and floor of the houses according to the gender and age of the Quilombola elderly.

The proportion of elderly people residing in households considered inappropriate in relation to the material used in the construction of houses was higher at the extremes of age, reaching the highest prevalence among men aged 60–69 years (88.5%) and ≥80 years (92.9%) and women 67.3% and 65.4% at their respective ages, suggesting a growing gradient of worsening material living conditions.

The highest percentages of houses with roofs, walls, and floors built with appropriate material were in the age group of 70–79 years, for both sexes—36.8% of the houses belonging to women and 44.8% of those belonging to men were inadequate.

Most of the elderly live in households with low amount of appliances. The number of electronic equipment in homes is an important indicator of the infrastructure for the quality of home life. Around 53.0% of the elderly lived in homes with up to two appliances, 75.0% with up to three, and 95.7% with up to five. Only 0.5% lived in households with 10 appliances (**Figure 3**).

**225**

*Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Living Conditions of Elderly Quilombolas…*

**Variáveis (N = 208) %**

Male 95 45.7 Female 113 54.3

60–69 101 48.6 70–79 67 32.2 ≥80 40 19.2

Blacks 123 59.1 Browns 60 28.9 Others 25 12.0

Married 74 35.6 Separate/divorced 28 13.5 Widower 52 25.0 Single 54 25.9

Yes 95 45.7 No 113 54.3

Only 32 15.4 Two 56 26.9 Three or more 120 57.7

<1 minimum wage 75 36.1 1 and 2 minimum wage 133 63.9

C 4 1.9 D 35 16.8 E 169 81.3

Retirement/pensions 191 91.8 Bolsa família 14 6.7

≤3 4 1.9 4–7 142 68.3 ≥8 62 29.8

Walls 134 64.4 Roof 187 89.9

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91315*

*Sex*

*Age bracket (years)*

*Skin color/race*

*Marital situation*

*Can read and white*

*Stratum socioeconomic*\*

*Receive benefits from*

*Number of rooms per household*

*Suitable material used in the construction of*

*Number of residents per household*

*Household income at minimum wage 954.00 (in reais)*

*Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Living Conditions of Elderly Quilombolas… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91315*


*Quality of Life - Biopsychosocial Perspectives*

**3.5 Ethical considerations**

estimated.

**4. Results**

widowed.

version 14 program (StataCorp LP, College Station, Texas, United States). The absolute and relative frequencies of the variables considered in the study were

Hospital of UFMA (favorable opinion: 2,476,488 of January 28, 2018), and all

Among 11 CRQs, 208 seniors were interviewed. **Table 1** shows this data. Among these, 54.3% were women, 48.6% were between 60 and 69 years old, and 19.2% were ≥80 years old. Regarding race/skin color, 59.1% declared themselves to be black and 28.9% brown, and 12.0% were classified in other racial groups. The data on marital status indicated that 35.6% are married or have a stable union; 13.5% said they were separated, unmarried, or divorced; and 25% were

Regarding education 54.3% could not read and write. Most (57.7%) lived with ≥3 people at home and 15.4% lived alone. About 36.0% had family income of less than 1 minimum wage, and 63.9% had income between 1 and 2 minimum wages. Regarding the socioeconomic strata, no elderly were classified in social strata A and B. Most of the elderly were in stratum E (81.3%), 91.8% reported receiving retire-

Water was supplied by a well or river on the property (59.6%), and only 68.7% had proper water treatment at home. Regarding household toilets, 56.7% have access to a septic tank to dispose dejects, and 14.9% have to do it in the open. Most

Most resided in four- to seven-room households (68.3%), with 64.4% of the elderly having appropriate material used in the construction of their home walls, 89.9% being constructed of appropriate roofing materials, and only 30.7% had

**Figure 2** presents the housing conditions and suitability, considering simultaneously the quality of the material used in the construction of the ceiling, walls, and floor of the houses according to the gender and age of the Quilombola elderly. The proportion of elderly people residing in households considered inappropriate in relation to the material used in the construction of houses was higher at the extremes of age, reaching the highest prevalence among men aged 60–69 years (88.5%) and ≥80 years (92.9%) and women 67.3% and 65.4% at their respective ages, suggesting a growing gradient of worsening material living

The highest percentages of houses with roofs, walls, and floors built with appropriate material were in the age group of 70–79 years, for both sexes—36.8% of the houses belonging to women and 44.8% of those belonging to men were

Most of the elderly live in households with low amount of appliances. The number of electronic equipment in homes is an important indicator of the infrastructure for the quality of home life. Around 53.0% of the elderly lived in homes with up to two appliances, 75.0% with up to three, and 95.7% with up to five. Only 0.5% lived

participants signed the informed consent form prior to collection.

ment or pension benefits, and 6.7% received *bolsa família*.

of the elderly burned household waste (89.4%).

appropriate floor construction material.

in households with 10 appliances (**Figure 3**).

The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University

**224**

conditions.

inadequate.


#### **Table 1.**

*Socioeconomic, demographic, and health characteristics of Quilombola elderly people* ≥*60 years old, Bequimão (IQUIBEQ Project), Maranhão, Brazil, 2018.*

#### **Figure 2.**

*Adequate housing condition of ceiling, floor, and walls simultaneously according to gender and age of Quilombola elderly* ≥*60 years, Bequimão (IQUIBEQ Project), Maranhão, Brazil, 2018.*

**227**

**5. Discussion**

*(IQUIBEQ Project), Maranhão, Brazil, 2018.*

**Figure 3.**

and generations [8].

years [20].

*Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Living Conditions of Elderly Quilombolas…*

The results of this study show that older Quilombolas experience significant overlapping inequalities and vulnerabilities, characterized by poor socioeconomic

*Proportion of the number of appliances in homes of Quilombola elderly people ≥60 years old, Bequimão* 

Previous studies have shown that older brown and black people in Brazil are disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic and demographic indicators too [11, 19]. This picture tends to be worse for older black persons living in rural areas. These stark inequalities are deeply woven into the fabric of society. Ever since the period of slavery to the present day, the material conditions of life and health of black people have been worse than those of white people. Typically located in rural areas, Quilombola communities tend to be isolated, increasing their level of exposure inequalities. Historical processes of racial segregation and discrimination have meant that these communities have accumulated disadvantages across life cycles

The aging of the Brazilian population is marked by different rhythms and flows, constituting heterogeneous processes. According to the projections of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) (2013), by 2042 in Brazil, the number of deaths will have exceeded the number of live births, thus stopping the growth of the Brazilian population. By 2060, estimates indicate that the cohort aged 65 and over is expected to be 26.7% (58.4 million) and life expectancy will approach 81

Following this panorama and the gradual prolongation of longevity, the topics and themes related to old age in communities located in remote areas such as Quilombola communities have become privileged objects of investigation in different areas of knowledge, bringing paradoxes, challenges, and dilemmas about public policy to emerge. In the general elderly population, according to the data from the 2000

status and inadequate household and community sanitation facilities.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91315*

*Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Living Conditions of Elderly Quilombolas… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91315*

**Figure 3.**

*Quality of Life - Biopsychosocial Perspectives*

*Destination of sewage from bathrooms/toilets at home*

*Water supply*

*Home water treatment*

*Waste collection forms*

**Table 1.**

**\****There were no elderly in social strata A and B.*

*(IQUIBEQ Project), Maranhão, Brazil, 2018.*

**Variáveis (N = 208) %** Floor 64 30.7

General network 37 17.8 Well or river on the property 124 59.6 Well or river outside the property 45 21.6 Other ways 2 1.0

Appropriate 143 68.7 Not appropriate 65 31.3

Septic tank to dispose dejects 118 56.7 Rudimentary septic tank 59 28.4 Sewer dumped on public road 31 14.9

Dumped on public roads 22 10.6 Burnt/buried 186 89.4

*Socioeconomic, demographic, and health characteristics of Quilombola elderly people* ≥*60 years old, Bequimão* 

**226**

**Figure 2.**

*Adequate housing condition of ceiling, floor, and walls simultaneously according to gender and age of* 

*Quilombola elderly* ≥*60 years, Bequimão (IQUIBEQ Project), Maranhão, Brazil, 2018.*

*Proportion of the number of appliances in homes of Quilombola elderly people ≥60 years old, Bequimão (IQUIBEQ Project), Maranhão, Brazil, 2018.*

## **5. Discussion**

The results of this study show that older Quilombolas experience significant overlapping inequalities and vulnerabilities, characterized by poor socioeconomic status and inadequate household and community sanitation facilities.

Previous studies have shown that older brown and black people in Brazil are disadvantaged in terms of socioeconomic and demographic indicators too [11, 19]. This picture tends to be worse for older black persons living in rural areas. These stark inequalities are deeply woven into the fabric of society. Ever since the period of slavery to the present day, the material conditions of life and health of black people have been worse than those of white people. Typically located in rural areas, Quilombola communities tend to be isolated, increasing their level of exposure inequalities. Historical processes of racial segregation and discrimination have meant that these communities have accumulated disadvantages across life cycles and generations [8].

The aging of the Brazilian population is marked by different rhythms and flows, constituting heterogeneous processes. According to the projections of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) (2013), by 2042 in Brazil, the number of deaths will have exceeded the number of live births, thus stopping the growth of the Brazilian population. By 2060, estimates indicate that the cohort aged 65 and over is expected to be 26.7% (58.4 million) and life expectancy will approach 81 years [20].

Following this panorama and the gradual prolongation of longevity, the topics and themes related to old age in communities located in remote areas such as Quilombola communities have become privileged objects of investigation in different areas of knowledge, bringing paradoxes, challenges, and dilemmas about public policy to emerge. In the general elderly population, according to the data from the 2000

Population Census, for example, there were gender differences in the aging process, as more than 55% of the population aged 60 and over were women, and this number increases proportionally to the age cohort. This phenomenon was called the "feminization of aging" and brings up discussions about gender experiences to gerontology [21].

Other aspects that exacerbate the differences in the aging process of the Brazilian population are the inequalities between rural and urban areas. Similar to other studies, our results indicate that the indicators present a rural reality in which poverty, geographic isolation, low educational levels, precarious residences, transportation limitations, chronic health problems, and distance from social and health resources in urban centers predominate. This reality is the result of a historical process of inequalities associated with the social and regional development project in the country, which is rooted in the process of discrimination, stigma, and enslavement of the black and brown population, often poorer and poorly educated [22].

In this way, studies reveal that the variable *race/ethnicity* corroborates profound differences regarding the composition of sociodemographic indicators, health conditions, and use and access to health services in the Brazilian elderly population [23]. Black and brown elderly compared to white elderly predominate in the younger age groups (60–69 years), with high dependence exclusively on public health services, less education, and lower income quintile, and live in areas with worse social and health indicators in the country [11].

Quilombola communities are expressions of resistance to the history of social exclusion suffered by black people in Brazil. They are made up of descendants of people who were enslaved and organized into quilombos, spaces that allow the expression of traditional values and practices, based on African ancestry. In these communities, racial inequities translate into vulnerabilities that contribute to the maintenance of material misery, restriction of political participation, and spatial and social isolation.

#### **6. Conclusions**

With this research it was possible to identify the sociodemographic, health, and demographic characteristics of the elderly being interviewed. They represent a social group whose majority are self-declared black; are unable to read and write; have a family income of 1–2 minimum wages, most receive retirement and pension; and are characterized as part of the E socioeconomic stratum. Sanitary and housing conditions are inadequate, lacking a general water supply, adequate garbage collection, and better household and community material conditions.

The findings of this study suggest that the living conditions and health status of this population group are poor and worse than those experienced by the general older population in Brazil, revealing the need for effective actions to reduce the inequalities and weaknesses that jeopardize the well-being and quality of life of this group. Major efforts are urgently needed to promote the health and well-being of older Quilombolas in order to meet the needs and reduce the health inequalities identified by this study.

Then, the problems identified may guide the planning of actions consistent with the reality experienced by this population and the implementation of measures that may improve the socioeconomic conditions of Quilombolas.

#### **Acknowledgements**

This project is funded by the FAPEMA Universal 00806/17 and the CNPq Universal Process 406490/2018-0—Universal Call MCTIC/CNPq 2018. All gratitude to the

**229**

**Author details**

Rafaela Macedo Pires Ferreira1

Bruno Luciano Carneiro Alves de Oliveira1,2\*

provided the original work is properly cited.

*Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Living Conditions of Elderly Quilombolas…*

Maranhão Foundation for Research and Scientific and Technological Development Support (FAPEMA Universal) and to the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq Universal) for the research funding.

, Eriko Bruno Costa Barros1

1 Medical School Coordenation, Federal University of Maranhão, Pinheiro, Brazil

© 2020 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,

2 Institute of Studies in Collective Health (IESC/UFRJ), Pinheiro, Brazil

\*Address all correspondence to: oliveira.bruno@ufma.br

and

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91315*

*Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Living Conditions of Elderly Quilombolas… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91315*

Maranhão Foundation for Research and Scientific and Technological Development Support (FAPEMA Universal) and to the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq Universal) for the research funding.
