Application of different spatial analysis methods made it possible to locate areas that would not have been identified by epidemiological indicators alone.

Objectives: to describe the prevalence of congenital malformations in live births in Recife, based on the relationship of birth and infant death data. Methods: a cross-sectional study with data from the Live Birth Information System (Sinasc) and Mortality (MIS) of residents in Recife-PE between 2013 and 2015. The deterministic linkage of deaths and live births (LB) with malformation and the prevalence rate were calculated. Results: 545 (95.1%) deaths and live births were matched. According to the Sinasc, the prevalence of congenital malformations was 10.4 per 1,000 LB. After the linkage, the rate was 12.4. Malformations of the musculoskeletal system (42.1%) among live births were high-lighted, as well as malformations of the circulatory system (35.3%) found in infant deaths. Conclusions: linkage increased the prevalence of congenital malformations in the studied cohort. This demonstrates the potential of this strategy for the monitoring of congenital malformations, which can be used to monitor infant death.

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This study analyzed the association between individual and household factors and the incidence of trachoma among a population aged between 1 and 9 years in the state of Pernambuco. This was a population-based household study conducted using a population-based sample of residents from 96 census sectors of the 1778 sectors considered to be at social risk in the state. The estimated odds ratio of the univariate analysis presented a confidence interval of 95%. Weights and clusters were adjusted through the Generalized Linear and Latent Mixed Model (GLLAM) method. Trachoma cases were the dependent variable in the multivariate analysis. The independent variables were selected through the stepwise forward method, with an input criterion of 20% (p < 0.20) and an output criterion of 10% (p < 0.10). The prevalence was 6.65%. Trachoma was associated with a female sex, age of 5–9 years, either the absence of use or infrequent use of soap to wash the hands and face, the presence of nasal secretion, a lack of piped water from a public supply system, a greater number of rooms used for sleeping, a greater number of people living in the same household, and a family income of up to one minimum monthly wage. The prevalence of follicular trachoma in Pernambuco was higher than what is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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Introduction: American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a public health problem and has been associated with country's territory. We aimed to analyze the spatial dynamics and socioeconomic factors correlated to the incidence of ACL in Pernambuco, Brazil from 2008 to 2017. Methods: A cross-sectional, ecological study was conducted in the Brazilian municipalities. Patient data were obtained from the Health Hazard Notification System (SINAN); indicators and incidence for the total period and for quinquennium were obtained. Socioeconomic factors were analyzed to evaluate the association between the incidence of ACL and presence of bathroom and running water, garbage collection availability, inadequate water supply, sanitation, rural population, per capita income, and vulnerability to poverty. Spatial analysis considered the gross incidence; the Bayesian local empirical method and Moran spatial autocorrelation index were applied using Terra View and QGIS. Results: The incidence of ACL reduced (0.29/100,000 inhabitants per year). Individuals with ACL were young adults (30.3%), men (60.2%), brown skinned (62.9%), rural residents (70.6%), and less educated (46.7%); had autochthonous transmission (78.8%); developed the cutaneous form (97.2%); had evolution to cure (82.7%); and were diagnosed using the clinical epidemiological criterion (70.5%). ACL occurred in the large part of the state and showed heterogeneous distribution, with persistence of two high priority intervention clusters covering Health Regions I, II, III, IV, and XII. Conclusions: Spatial analysis and epidemiological indicators complement each other. The combination of these methods can improve the understanding on ACL occurrence, which will help subsidize planning and enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare interventions.

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