Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde (Sep 2023)

Leprosy prevalence spatial distribution and trend in a health region in Northeast Brazil, 2008-2017: an ecological study

  • Rayanne Alves de Oliveira,
  • Paloma Maria Pereira de Sousa,
  • Janiel Conceição da Silva,
  • Lívia Fernanda Siqueira Santos,
  • Floriacy Stabnow Santos,
  • Lívia Maia Pascoal,
  • Ana Cristina Pereira de Jesus Costa,
  • Leonardo Hunaldo dos Santos,
  • Marcelino Santos Neto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/s2237-96222023000200021
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 32, no. 2

Abstract

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Abstract Objective: to analyse the spatial distribution and trend of leprosy in municipalities of a health region in a Northeast Brazilian state. Methods: this was an ecological time-series study based on compulsory notification of leprosy cases by the municipalities covered by the Imperatriz-MA Regional Health Management Unit, between 2008 and 2017; prevalence and mean prevalence for the period were calculated; spatial analysis of the area was carried out and maps were generated using ArcGis 10.5. Prais-Winsten regression was used for trend analysis. Result: 4,029 cases of the disease were identified, and average prevalence ranged from 2.0 to 11.5 cases/10,000 inhabitants-year. The overall trend was downward. Governador Edson Lobão had the highest prevalence, 11.5 cases/10,000 inhabitants, and Lajeado Novo had the lowest prevalence, 2.0 cases/10,000 inhabitants. Conclusion: spatial distribution of leprosy cases was heterogeneous in the municipalities studied and prevalence had a falling trend.

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