RESUMEN Los residuos sólidos constituyen una grave amenaza para la fauna marina, y pueden afectar negativamente actividades como turismo, pesca y navegación. La isla de San Andrés es uno de los principales destinos turísticos de Colombia, y su principal atractivo son las playas y los ecosistemas marinos. Sin embargo, un comportamiento impropio de parte de turistas y residentes sobre la disposición de los residuos sólidos puede afectar la estética de las playas de la isla y también perjudicar la diversidad marina. El objetivo de esa investigación fue determinar la cantidad de residuos sólidos en las principales playas de la isla. Se muestrearon tres playas turísticas por 10 semanas. Se colectaron 9894 unidades de residuos, equivalentes a 23 212,47 g. El grado de limpieza de cada playa fue estimado usando el Clean Coast Index; dos de las tres playas resultaron “muy sucias” mientras la tercera resultó “sucia”. La mayor parte de los residuos estuvo constituida por plástico (59,5 % del peso total), seguido por vidrio (20,4 %). Debido a los efectos negativos y la persistencia de los residuos sólidos sobre la fauna costera, es necesario mejorar el manejo de los residuos sólidos en la isla, y mejorar los programas educativos para residentes y turistas.

ABSTRACT San Andres Island is one of the main touristic places in Colombia, and its main attractions are its sandy beaches and the marine coastal ecosystems, such as coral reef and seagrass beds. However improper behavior of both residents and tourists on solid residue disposal may threaten not only the aesthetic of the island´s beaches, but also poses risk to marine life. The objective of this research was to assess the amount of litter on the main beaches of the island. We surveyed three popular beaches for ten weeks. We collected 9894 units of litter, equivalent to a weight of 23 212.47 g. Beach cleanliness was estimated using the Clean Coast Index, and two of the three sites resulted “extremely dirty”, while the third was classified as “dirty”. The majority of the litter was plastic (59.5 % of total weight), followed by glass (20.4 %). Due to the persistence and negative effects of solid waste on coastal fauna, it is necessary to improve the management of litter disposal, and improve educational programs for both residents and tourists, to increase their awareness on the problem.

Evaluaciones de amenazas antropogénicas a los servicios ecosistémicos marinos, a partir del enfoque de percepción del riesgo, son muy escasas en las islas del Gran Caribe. En el presente trabajo se presenta la valoración de las amenazas derivadas del uso del ecosistema de playas de San Andrés, una isla pequeña del Caribe. Para evaluar las amenazas por uso se adelantaron encuestas y a partir de métodos de cartografía social, se obtuvieron mapas de niveles de percepción, con magnitudes relativas para los diferentes usos entre niveles muy bajo, bajo, medio, alto y muy alto. Los resultados sugieren que el actual modelo de desarrollo económico de San Andrés, basado en el turismo de masas, puede estar favoreciendo el aumento de la intensidad de presiones asociadas a contaminación, desarrollo urbano e infraestructura, reclamación de la tierra y sobreexplotación de recursos costeros. Los beneficiarios de los servicios de este socio-ecosistema podrían verse afectados por estos tensores, lo que repercutiría en la posibilidad de que gran número de ellos no vuelva a la isla. Se recomienda que un próximo plan de manejo de la zona costera considere el ordenamiento de las formas de uso de la playa y sus servicios ecosistémicos.

In this paper we present the assessment of the main threats to beach ecosystems arising from their use in San Andrés, a small oceanic island in the Caribbean. To determine each threat and its pressure level on the ecosystem, we applied surveys and, based on social cartography methods, we obtained perception maps with relative threat magnitudes for each use, from very low to very high. The results suggest that the current economic model of San Andrés, almost totally dependent on massive tourism, may increase pressure intensities to the beach ecosystems due to increased pollution, urban development, land reclamation and exploitation of coastal resources. Tourists, the motor and beneficiaries of this socio-ecosystem, may be affected by these tensors, discouraging them to visit again the island. It is recommended to include in the island's management plans new legislations to minimize the impacts of beach use on this ecosystem.

A degradação ou ausência de reboco nas paredes e as condições higiênicas deficientes são os fatores de risco mais importantes para a infestação intradomiciliar por Triatoma dimidiata na Guatemala. Realizamos um estudo transdisciplinar sobre infestação por T. dimidiata, higiene intradomiciliar e condições de construção. O estudo destacou as questões de materiais locais e aspectos culturais (inclusive papéis de gênero) que poderiam levar a melhorias nas condições das paredes no longo prazo. Formulou-se uma nova mistura de gesso para paredes, após estudos de laboratório sobre materiais de construção com base em recomendações dos residentes locais. Foram estudados quatro vilarejos com infestação por T. dimidiata que havia persistido mesmo após aplicação de inseticida. Em duas comunidades, foi implementada uma abordagem ecossistêmica, e os residentes implementaram melhorias nas paredes e no saneamento domiciliar, com o apoio da equipe interdisciplinar (intervenção ecossistêmica). Nas duas outras comunidades, adotou-se uma estratégia de controle com base na aplicação de inseticida (intervenção tradicional). Ambas as intervenções levaram a uma redução na infestação por T. dimidiata, mas apenas a abordagem ecossistêmica produziu melhorias importantes nas condições de moradia (saneamento e revestimento das paredes) capazes de prevenir a re-infestação por T. dimidiata no longo prazo.

The deterioration or absence of plaster walls in houses and poor hygienic conditions are the most important risk factors for indoor Triatoma dimidiata infestation in Guatemala. A cross-disciplinary study was conducted addressing T. dimidiata infestation, household hygiene, and housing construction. The study focused on local materials and cultural aspects (including gender roles) that could lead to long-term improvements in wall construction. A new plaster mix for walls was developed on the basis of laboratory studies on construction materials recommended by local villagers. Four villages with persistent (post-spraying) T. dimidiata infestation were studied. In two villages, an ecosystem approach was implemented, and the homeowners conducted wall improvements and household sanitation with the support of the interdisciplinary team (the ecosystem intervention). In the other two villages, a vector control approach based on insecticide spraying was adopted (traditional intervention). Both interventions were associated with a reduction in T. dimidiata infestation, but only the ecosystem approach produced important housing improvements (sanitation and wall construction) capable of preventing T. dimidiata re-infestation in the long term.

Seventeen variables were evaluated as possible risk factors for the intradomiciliary infestation with Triatoma dimidiata in 644 houses in Jutiapa, Guatemala. During 2004 the houses were assessed for vector presence and evaluated for hygiene, cluttering, material comfort, construction conditions and number of inhabitants, among other factors. Chi-square analysis detected significant associations between vector presence and eight variables related to domestic sanitary and construction conditions. Log-linear models showed that regardless of the age of the house, the odds of vector presence were 4.3 and 10 times lower in houses with a good socioeconomic status compared with poor and very poor houses respectively. Log-linear models also pointed to a greater chance of vector presence when walls lacked plastering (3.85 times) or walls had low quality-incomplete plastering (4.56 times), compared with walls that were completely plastered. Control strategies against T. dimidiata should include the introduction of better-quality but inexpensive plastering formulations and better sanitation practices should also be promoted among the population. Such control strategies should not only reduce or eliminate infestation, but also prevent vector reinfestation.

Seiscientas cuarenta y cuatro casas en Jutiapa, Guatemala fueron encuestadas en el año 2004 para buscar el vector de la enfermedad de Chagas Triatoma dimidiata. Diecisiete variables relacionadas con las condiciones estructurales y de higiene de las casas fueron registradas y evaluadas como factores de riesgo para la infestación intradomiciliar con T. dimidiata. Análisis chi-cuadrado detectaron asociaciones significativas entre la presencia del vector y 8 de estas variables. En modelos log-lineares se detectó, que sin importar la antigüedad de la casa, las posibilidades de presencia del vector fueron 4,3 y 10 veces más bajas en casas con un buen estado socioeconómico que en casas pobres o muy pobres, respectivamente. Además, las posibilidades de infestación fueron mayores en casas con paredes sin repello (3,85 veces) o con repellado incompleto o de mala calidad (4,56 veces), que con repellado completo. Las estrategias para el control de T. dimidiata deberían incluir la introducción de repellos baratos y de buena calidad y la promoción de mejores prácticas sanitarias. Estas estrategias no solo reducirían o eliminaría la infestación, sino también ayudaría a prevenir la reinfestación.

A degradação ou ausência de reboco nas paredes e as condições higiênicas deficientes são os fatores de risco mais importantes para a infestação intradomiciliar por Triatoma dimidiata na Guatemala. Realizamos um estudo transdisciplinar sobre infestação por T. dimidiata, higiene intradomiciliar e condições de construção. O estudo destacou as questões de materiais locais e aspectos culturais (inclusive papéis de gênero) que poderiam levar a melhorias nas condições das paredes no longo prazo. Formulou-se uma nova mistura de gesso para paredes, após estudos de laboratório sobre materiais de construção com base em recomendações dos residentes locais. Foram estudados quatro vilarejos com infestação por T. dimidiata que havia persistido mesmo após aplicação de inseticida. Em duas comunidades, foi implementada uma abordagem ecossistêmica, e os residentes implementaram melhorias nas paredes e no saneamento domiciliar, com o apoio da equipe interdisciplinar (intervenção ecossistêmica). Nas duas outras comunidades, adotou-se uma estratégia de controle com base na aplicação de inseticida (intervenção tradicional). Ambas as intervenções levaram a uma redução na infestação por T. dimidiata, mas apenas a abordagem ecossistêmica produziu melhorias importantes nas condições de moradia (saneamento e revestimento das paredes) capazes de prevenir a re-infestação por T. dimidiata no longo prazo.

The deterioration or absence of plaster walls in houses and poor hygienic conditions are the most important risk factors for indoor Triatoma dimidiata infestation in Guatemala. A cross-disciplinary study was conducted addressing T. dimidiata infestation, household hygiene, and housing construction. The study focused on local materials and cultural aspects (including gender roles) that could lead to long-term improvements in wall construction. A new plaster mix for walls was developed on the basis of laboratory studies on construction materials recommended by local villagers. Four villages with persistent (post-spraying) T. dimidiata infestation were studied. In two villages, an ecosystem approach was implemented, and the homeowners conducted wall improvements and household sanitation with the support of the interdisciplinary team (the ecosystem intervention). In the other two villages, a vector control approach based on insecticide spraying was adopted (traditional intervention). Both interventions were associated with a reduction in T. dimidiata infestation, but only the ecosystem approach produced important housing improvements (sanitation and wall construction) capable of preventing T. dimidiata re-infestation in the long term.

Seventeen variables were evaluated as possible risk factors for the intradomiciliary infestation with Triatoma dimidiata in 644 houses in Jutiapa, Guatemala. During 2004 the houses were assessed for vector presence and evaluated for hygiene, cluttering, material comfort, construction conditions and number of inhabitants, among other factors. Chi-square analysis detected significant associations between vector presence and eight variables related to domestic sanitary and construction conditions. Log-linear models showed that regardless of the age of the house, the odds of vector presence were 4.3 and 10 times lower in houses with a good socioeconomic status compared with poor and very poor houses respectively. Log-linear models also pointed to a greater chance of vector presence when walls lacked plastering (3.85 times) or walls had low quality-incomplete plastering (4.56 times), compared with walls that were completely plastered. Control strategies against T. dimidiata should include the introduction of better-quality but inexpensive plastering formulations and better sanitation practices should also be promoted among the population. Such control strategies should not only reduce or eliminate infestation, but also prevent vector reinfestation.

Seiscientas cuarenta y cuatro casas en Jutiapa, Guatemala fueron encuestadas en el año 2004 para buscar el vector de la enfermedad de Chagas Triatoma dimidiata. Diecisiete variables relacionadas con las condiciones estructurales y de higiene de las casas fueron registradas y evaluadas como factores de riesgo para la infestación intradomiciliar con T. dimidiata. Análisis chi-cuadrado detectaron asociaciones significativas entre la presencia del vector y 8 de estas variables. En modelos log-lineares se detectó, que sin importar la antigüedad de la casa, las posibilidades de presencia del vector fueron 4,3 y 10 veces más bajas en casas con un buen estado socioeconómico que en casas pobres o muy pobres, respectivamente. Además, las posibilidades de infestación fueron mayores en casas con paredes sin repello (3,85 veces) o con repellado incompleto o de mala calidad (4,56 veces), que con repellado completo. Las estrategias para el control de T. dimidiata deberían incluir la introducción de repellos baratos y de buena calidad y la promoción de mejores prácticas sanitarias. Estas estrategias no solo reducirían o eliminaría la infestación, sino también ayudaría a prevenir la reinfestación.