Quality of life in an urban quilombola community

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and associated factors among residents of the Quilombo de Quingoma, in the municipality of Lauro de Freitas, Bahia, Brazil. Despite official certification, this quilombo has experienced territorial expropriation driven by urban expansion projects, resulting in social conflict and environmental change. A census-based study included 318 residents aged 18 years and older, who completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic, housing, occupational, and health characteristics, as well as the WHOQOL-Bref for quality-of-life assessment. Multiple linear regression models showed that Physical domain scores were higher among quilombolas engaged in formal or informal employment and lower among those reporting Evangelical affiliation and illness. Psychological domain scores were higher among individuals with higher monthly income and lower among those reporting dust exposure and illness. The Social Relations domain was positively associated with age and negatively associated with perceived risk of deforestation. The Environmental domain was positively associated with age and income, higher among those reporting a lack of household sewage and fear of losing land or housing, and lower among those reporting illness. The limited literature on WHOQOL-Bref-based quality-of-life assessment in Brazilian quilombola communities hindered interpretation and comparison of findings.