Background
Due to social and geographical isolation, indigenous people are more vulnerable to adverse conditions; however, there is a lack of data on the epidemics’ impact on these populations. Thus, this article’s objective was to describe the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in indigenous communities in Brazil.
Methods
This descriptive observational study was carried out in indigenous communities in the municipality of Amaturá (Amazonas, Brazil). Individuals from the Alto Rio Solimões Special Indigenous Sanitary District (DSEI) who met the Sars-Cov-2 infection case definitions during the period between January and August 2020 were included. For case notification, the definitions adopted by the Ministry of Health of Brazil and by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health were considered.
Results
Out of the entire population served by the Alto Rio Solimões DSEI (
n
= 2890), 109 indigenous people were suspected of having been infected with Sars-Cov-R during the study period; a total of 89 cases were actually confirmed (rate: 3.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Most patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were female (56.2%), with a mean age of 32.4 (± 23.6) years. Predominant symptoms were fever (76.4%), dry cough (64%), and headache (60.7%). Complications occurred in 7.9% of the patients; no deaths were reported.
Conclusion
These results enhance the observation that indigenous populations, even if relatively isolated, are exposed to COVID-19. The disease cases assessed showed a favorable evolution, which does not mean reducing the need for caring of this population.
Objective: To examine the rates of psychiatric hospitalization and the average length of stay, in Brazil, from 2009 to 2019, according to sociodemographic variables and character of the hospitalization (elective or urgency). Methods: This is an ecological study, with data collected from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS). Hospital admission rates were described according to diagnosis, sex, and age group. Percentage variation and rate ratios were calculated. To evaluate the time series, the data were submitted to linear regression analysis. Results: The rate of hospitalization for mental disorders decreased from 14.2/10,000 in 2009 to 11.2 in 2019, with the most significant variation occurring between mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol use. The men had about twice as many episodes as the women in all the years evaluated. Higher rates were found in the age group of 30 and 59 years. The length of stay also decreased in the period. Besides, the urgency character presented almost 82% of the total hospitalizations. Conclusions: There was a reduction in hospital admissions for mental disorders in the analyzed period, demonstrating the relevance of mental health care changes resulting from the Psychiatric Reform.
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