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. 2024 Jun 14:27:e240031.
doi: 10.1590/1980-549720240031. eCollection 2024.

Geography and public health: analysis of the epidemiological dynamics of meningitis in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Luis Roberto da Silva  1 , Laís Eduarda Silva de Arruda  2 , Isabel de Jesus Brandão Barreto  3 , João Victor Rodrigues de Aragão  4 , Maria Luiza Ferreira Imburana da Silva  5 , Guilherme Lira  6 , Camila Maria Barros Teixeira  6 , Emília Carolle Azevedo de Oliveira  7
Affiliations

Geography and public health: analysis of the epidemiological dynamics of meningitis in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Luis Roberto da Silva et al. Rev Bras Epidemiol. .

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the spatiotemporal epidemiological dynamics of meningitis in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019.

Methods: Descriptive ecological study with cases and deaths due to meningitis in Brazil (2010-2019) in the National Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação - SINAN). The following analyses were performed: (I) frequency analyses of cases and deaths, prevalence rates, mortality, lethality, Fisher's exact test, and chi-square test; (II) Prais-Winstein regression; and (III) Global, Local Moran's index, and Kernel density.

Results: 182,126 cases of meningitis were reported in Brazil, of which 16,866 (9.26%) resulted in death, with prevalence rates of 9.03/100,000 inhabitants, mortality of 0.84/100,000 inhabitants, and lethality of 9.26%. There was a noted trend of decreasing prevalence rates (-9.5%, 95% confidence interval - 95%CI -13.92; -4.96, p<0.01) and mortality (-11.74%, 95%CI -13.92; -9.48, p<0.01), while lethality remained stable (-2.08%, 95%CI -4.9; 0.8; p<0.1941). The majority of cases were viral meningitis (45.7%), among 1-9 years old (32.2%), while the highest proportion of deaths was due to bacterial meningitis (68%), among 40-59 years old (26.3%). In the Moran and Kernel maps of prevalence and mortality rates, municipalities in the South, Southeast, and the capital of Pernambuco in the Northeast stood out with high rates; as for lethality, the North, Northeast, and Southeast coastal areas were highlighted.

Conclusion: A decrease in meningitis cases and deaths was found in this study; however, the lethality rate was higher in areas with lower prevalence, emphasizing the need to enhance actions for identifying, monitoring, and providing health care for cases, as well as expanding vaccination coverage.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS: nothing o declare

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Time series* of meningitis prevalence, mortality, and lethality rates in Brazil, between 2010 and 2019.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Moran index maps of prevalence (A), mortality (B), and lethality (C) rates of meningitis in Brazil, 2010 and 2019.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Kernel density maps of prevalence (A), mortality (B), and lethality (C) rates of meningitis in Brazil, 2010 and 2019.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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