Abstract
This study aimed to establish the frequency and spatial distribution of animal and object hoarding in Curitiba (Paraná State), the eighth most populous city in Brazil. All hoarding complaints received by the City Secretaries of Health, Environment and Social Assistance between September 2013 and April 2015 were collected (n = 226) and suspicious cases were individually investigated. A total of 113/226 (50%) of complaints were confirmed as hoarding cases, representing an overall ratio of 6.45 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Curitiba, of which 48/113 (42.5%) involved object hoarders, 41/113 (36.3%) animal hoarders and 24/113 (21.2%) both animal and object hoarders. A correlation of total identified cases with neighborhood population density and all population stratums analyzed (total, gender, age) was significantly positive (p < 0.01), and with neighborhood mean monthly income (r = -0.2; p = 0.03) significantly negative. A spatial cluster of cases was found in the north of the city (OR = 8.57; p < 0.01). Hoarding cases were relatively frequent in Curitiba and were associated with population distribution patterns and inversely related to neighborhood income.
Highlights
Mental disorders represent almost 12% of the global disease burden and account for substantial economic public health costs in a wide range of population groups, those in social vulnerability 1
Confirmed hoarding cases accounted for exactly half (50%) of total complaints received in the present study period (Figure 2)
Since the present study was based on complaints by three official city secretaries, results were probably more representative of the entire city than previous studies, which may have underestimated the local frequency of hoarders due to non-comprehensive survey methods
Summary
Mental disorders represent almost 12% of the global disease burden and account for substantial economic public health costs in a wide range of population groups, those in social vulnerability 1. Hoarding behavior has reportedly impacted on public health due to extreme clutter leading to unsanitary living conditions, disease harboring and spreading ( zoonoses), risk of falls, fire hazard, obstruction of fire exits, endangering local public health, safety and welfare [3,4,5]. Hoarding behavior and its negative consequences have been considered a growing environmental concern for public health, related to poor physical health, increased risk of injury, exacerbation of chronic diseases, occupational impairment, social concerns including risk of homelessness and social isolation, and economic burdens [6,7]. When associated with frustrations expressed by family members, hoarding behavior and its consequences may cause a strain on relationships 6. Conditions of hoarding behavior may worsen when animal accumulation is involved 3, singly or in association with object hoarding, exacerbating complaints by neighbors of animal noise and the smell of feces [3,4,8,9]
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