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. 2024 Jan 15:33:e2023090.
doi: 10.1590/S2237-96222024v33e2023090.en. eCollection 2024.

Characterization of cases and epidemiological and operational indicators of leprosy: analysis of time series and spatial distribution, Piauí state, Brazil, 2007-2021

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Ian da Costa Araújo Barros  1 , Carliane da Conceição Machado Sousa  2 , Neylany Raquel Ferreira da Silva  2 , Márcio Dênis Medeiros Mascarenhas  3
Affiliations

Characterization of cases and epidemiological and operational indicators of leprosy: analysis of time series and spatial distribution, Piauí state, Brazil, 2007-2021

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Ian da Costa Araújo Barros et al. Epidemiol Serv Saude. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Objective: To analyze epidemiological characteristics, temporal trends and spatial distribution of leprosy cases and indicators in the state of Piauí, 2007-2021.

Methods: This was an ecological time-series study using data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System, describing the spatial distribution and the temporal trend of leprosy using Prais-Winsten regression.

Results: A total of 17,075 new cases of leprosy were reported. There was a falling trend in the overall detection rate [annual percentage change (APC) = -6.3; 95%CI -8.1;-4.5)], detection in children under 15 years of age (APC = -8,6; 95%CI -12,7;-4,3) and detection of cases with grade 2 physical disability (APC = -4,4; 95%CI -7,0;-1,8). There was a rising trend in the proportion of multibacillary cases. Spatial distribution of the average detection rate identified hyperendemic areas in the Carnaubais, Entre Rios, Vale dos Rios Piauí e Itaueiras regions.

Conclusion: High leprosy detection rates were found, despite the falling trend of indicators, except the proportion of multibacillary cases.

Main results: Between 2007 and 2021, Piauí showed an improving trend in all indicators analyzed, except the proportion of new multibacillary cases. Spatial distribution identified hyperendemic areas in different regions of the state.

Implications for services: This study provides health services with a broad overview of the epidemiological situation of leprosy in Piauí, with evidence of the populations and locations most affected by the disease, whereby public authorities need to reinforce the promotion of health actions.

Perspectives: It is expected that actions to prevent and control the disease will be adopted, such as offering early diagnosis, ensuring correct treatment and implementing measures to prevent physical disabilities.

Objetivo: Analizar características epidemiológicas, tendencias temporales, distribución espacial de casos y indicadores de lepra en el estado de Piauí, 2007-2021.

Métodos: Estudio ecológico de series temporales con datos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Notificación que describen la distribución espacial y la tendencia temporal de la lepra mediante la regresión de Prais-Winsten.

Resultados: Se notificaron 17.075 nuevos casos de lepra. Hubo tendencia decreciente en las tasas de detección general [variación porcentual anual (VPA) = -6,3; IC95% -8,1; -4,5], detección en menores de 15 años (VPA = -8,6; IC95% -12,7; -4,3), y detección de casos con discapacidad física grado 2 (VPA = -4,4; IC95%-7,0; -1,8). Hubo una tendencia creciente en la proporción de casos multibacilares. La distribución espacial de la tasa promedio de detección identificó áreas hiperendémicas en las regiones de Carnaubais, Entre Rios, Vale dos Rios Piauí y Itaueiras.

Conclusión: Se observaron altas tasas de detección de lepra, a pesar de la tendencia decreciente de los indicadores, excepto la proporción de casos multibacilares

Objetivo: Analisar características epidemiológicas, tendência temporal, distribuição espacial de casos e indicadores da hanseníase no estado do Piauí, 2007-2021.

Métodos: Estudo ecológico de séries temporais com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, descrevendo a distribuição espacial e a tendência temporal da hanseníase pela regressão de Prais-Winsten.

Resultados: Foram notificados 17.075 novos casos de hanseníase. A distribuição espacial da taxa média de detecção identificou áreas hiperendêmicas nas regiões Carnaubais, Entre Rios, Vale dos Rios Piauí e Itaueiras. Verificou-se tendência decrescente nas taxas de detecção geral [variação percentual anual (VPA) = -6,3; IC95% -8,1;-4,5], de detecção em menores de 15 anos (VPA = -8,6; IC95%12,7;-4,3) e de detecção de casos com grau 2 de incapacidade física (VPA = -4,4; IC95%-7,0;1,8), e tendência crescente na proporção de casos multibacilares.

Conclusão: Observaram-se elevadas taxas de detecção de hanseníase, apesar da tendência decrescente dos indicadores, exceto a proporção de casos multibacilares.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Health regions of the state of Piauí, in the Northeast of Brazil (A), and spatial distribution of new leprosy case detection rates by health regions of residence (B), Piauí, Brazil, 2007-2021
Figure 2
Figure 2. Evolution of leprosy epidemiological and operational indicators, Piauí, Brazil 2007-2021
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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