Avaliação de denúncias do acúmulo de animais e materiais inservíveis em Ponta Grossa – PR

Hoarding disorder is characterized by the constant acquisition of objects and/or animals and by the difficulty in discarding belongings. Reports from neighbors are the main means by which public authorities identify hoarding cases, which generate conflicts within the community and suffering for the hoarder. The aim of this study was to analyze the complaints registered with the Ombudsman of the Municipal Health Foundation of Ponta Grossa, identifying the most affected neighborhoods, the main types of hoarding, the associated problems, and assessing the referrals to the sectors involved. The total sample of the research consisted of 20 complaints. The analysis of the variables was carried out using absolute (n) and relative (%) frequency. The neighborhoods with the highest number of records in the ombudsman’s office were Uvaranas, Contorno, Oficinas, Cará-Cará, and Boa Vista. However, population density and the presence of elderly residents in these neighborhoods do not appear to be directly related to the higher number of records. It was observed that the largest number of reports to the ombudsman occurred in situations considered unpleasant by complainants, such as the hoarding of useless materials, which favored the presence of synanthropic animals and the emission of foul odor. Most of the reports were referred to the Zoonoses sector, with no mentions of the Psychosocial Care Center. Among the closed complaints, only one-third were confirmed as true. The information presented is essential to guide integrated, data-driven public policies focused on mitigating the environmental and social impacts of hoarding disorder. Key words: statistics & numerical data; public health administration; environment.