O Mundo da Saúde (Jul 2020)
Epidemiological analysis of bacterial meningitis in the State of Amapá in the years 2013 to 2018
Abstract
Meningitis is an infectious disease characterized by the inflammatory process of the arachnoid and pia mater meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. Its main bacterial etiological agents are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae. The present study aimed to carry out an epidemiological analysis of bacterial meningitis in the State of Amapá, in the years 2013 to 2018. This is a descriptive documentary, cross-sectional study with data obtained through the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). The results show that, in the studied period, 26 cases of bacterial meningitis occurred. The agents Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis were responsible for 38% and 35% of the occurrences, respectively, while 27% of the cases were classified only as bacterial meningitis. The state capital, Macapá, was responsible for the largest number of confirmed cases (81%) and, regarding seasonality, the month of July had the highest occurrence (23%). Of the total cases assessed, 54% occurred in males and 46% in females, and the main age group affected was children less than one year old (38%). As for the evolution of the disease, 65% of people were discharged, while 27% died of meningitis. It is concluded that although the majority of cases evolved to discharge, the percentage of patients who died of meningitis highlights the need for health actions aimed at both the most affected age group and the others, due to the rapid evolution that the disease presents.
