[Grouping of countries according to indicators of standard of living]

What Is the Socioeconomic Impact of the Tucuruí Dam on Its Surrounding Municipalities?

Hydroelectric energy is known for being renewable, clean, efficient and harmless in comparison to other nonrenewable energy sources. Nonetheless, the installation of a hydroelectric power complex (HC) in places, such as the Amazon, have proven to cause land cover changes, and alter local population dynamics. Issues like migration and city expansion can cause economic, social and cultural impacts locally, while the benefits are seen in other regions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the socioeconomic indicators of the municipalities directly affected by the Tucuruí HPC. The study took into consideration three scenarios: the post-inauguration of the HC in 1988 (phase I), the beginning of construction in 2000 (phase II), and the completion of the Tucuruí HC in 2010 (phase III). Two types of multivariate analysis were conducted: the principal component analysis and cluster analysis, in order to identify the variables related to quality of life, and to be able to group the municipalities which have a similar quality of life. During the three scenarios studied, Tucuruí remained the only municipality with the highest quality of life index in the entire region, revealing the inequality present in the study area, which is something to be considered during the development of public policies.

[Space distribution of low birth weight in Sergipe, Brazil, 1995/1998]

This study analyzes the spatial distribution of low birth weight (LBW) in the State of Sergipe, Brazil, evaluating the event as a health indicator. The analysis was based on 166,312 live births in the 75 municipalities in the State, using an ecological approach. Four methods were used: cluster analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and multiple comparisons (Tukey). The study shows internal homogeneity in the municipalities' health districts and in the groups resulting from the cluster analysis. Considering a 10% loss of information, seven groups were identified, two of which were residues (Aracaju and Porto da Folha). There is a downward trend in LBW in Sergipe (with a mean of 6.97% during the period), reflecting a slight improvement in quality of life. The causes suggest relations with the environment and are influenced by spatial occupation patterns. The percentage of LBW is a useful indicator of individual risk, but as a collective health indicator it does not appear capable of expressing differences between regions that do not display strong inter-variability.