OBJECTIVES

This paper presents a study on the dynamics of malaria in Manaus and its relationship with the urban expansion and environmental factors related to it. The purpose of this paper is: to analyse how the form of occupying the emptied space in the city, together with the urbanization and factors related to the environment, have contributed for the establishment, increase and/or sustainability of malaria in the urban area of the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out on malaria epidemiology from 1986 to 1997; data on the evolution and urban expansion of the city of Manaus were surveyed. Data were descriptively analysed making a relationship between the environmental aspects of urbanization and the way the city of Manaus was occupied and how this has contributed to malaria epidemiology in the city.

RESULTS

The findings point out to the importance of the environment on malaria incidence, and to the influence of the anthropic interventions on the modification of the ecosystem, making the urban environment ideal for the proliferation of Anopheles sp mosquitoes, vectors of this disease.

CONCLUSION

These elements in association continue to favour the maintenance of the incidence of malaria in the urban area of Manaus.