The Geographic Information System applied to study schistosomiasis in Pernambuco

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Diagnose risk environments for schistosomiasis in coastal localities of Pernambuco using geoprocessing techniques.METHODS A coproscopic and malacological survey were carried out in the Forte Orange and Serrambi areas. Environmental variables (temperature, salinity, pH, total dissolved solids and water fecal coliform dosage) were collected from Biomphalaria breeding sites or foci. The spatial analysis was performed using ArcGis 10.1 software, applying the kernel estimator, elevation map, and distance map.RESULTS In Forte Orange, 4.3% of the population had S. mansoni and were found two B. glabrata and 26 B. straminea breeding sites. The breeding sites had temperatures of 25ºC to 41ºC, pH of 6.9 to 11.1, total dissolved solids between 148 and 661, and salinity of 1,000 d. In Serrambi, 4.4% of the population had S. mansoni and were found seven B. straminea and seven B. glabrata breeding sites. Breeding sites had temperatures of 24ºC to 36ºC, pH of 7.1 to 9.8, total dissolved solids between 116 and 855, and salinity of 1,000 d. The kernel estimator shows the clusters of positive patients and foci of Biomphalaria, and the digital elevation map indicates areas of rainwater concentration. The distance map shows the proximity of the snail foci with schools and health facilities.CONCLUSIONS Geoprocessing techniques prove to be a competent tool for locating and scaling the risk areas for schistosomiasis, and can subsidize the health services control actions.

Persistence of Schistosomiasis-Related Morbidity in Northeast Brazil: An Integrated Spatio-Temporal Analysis

“…The analysis of spatial distribution patterns indicated a higher concentration of cases and hospital admissions for schistosomiasis in areas along the coast of the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas, and Sergipe, corroborating other studies that revealed high morbidity and mortality rates due to the disease and the formation of clusters in these areas [30,[45][46][47][48]. Hospital admissions due to schistosomiasis result from the evolution of the disease, when there were failures in the identification of cases, timely treatment, and healthcare of the affected person [8].…”

Basic and associated causes of schistosomiasis-related mortality in Brazil: A population-based study and a 20-year time series of a disease still neglected

“…Despite all the measures implemented by the PCE, as diagnosis and mass treatment of populations in endemic areas, schistosomiasis still has a high number of cases and deaths, and remains a serious public health concern in Brazil [ 6 , 11 , 20 ] . Herein, we conducted a pioneer, and population-based study, to assess the epidemiological profile and spatial and temporal patterns of deaths from schistosomiasis in Brazil, as basic and associated cause, in a period of 20 years.…”

“…Considering this, assessing the basic and associated causes of death can improve to health systems, especially in mortality risk analysis. In that regard, temporal and spatial analysis techniques are one of the most efficient methods, since they allow to monitor the impacts of the disease over time and in space [ 9 , 11 ]. Several studies have used spatial and spatiotemporal analysis tools to comprehend the dynamics of schistosomiasis in Brazil [ 4 , 6 , 12 ].…”

Análise espacial dos fatores condicionantes à transmissão da esquistossomíase mansônica (2016-2017) em Ilhéus, Bahia, Brasil

“…Uma alternativa para endossar estes achados laboratoriais é a investigação de indicadores externos que interfiram no processo saúde-doença com emprego de ferramentas de geoprocessamento, que enriquece o estudo (BARBOSA et al, 2017a), pois possibilita o cruzamento de informações biológicas e ambientais a variáveis sociopolíticas importadas de bancos de dados governamentais (DUTRA, 2011). Sendo assim, este estudo teve como objetivo principal analisar os fatores condicionantes envolvidos nos casos identificados na área de estudo e na transmissão da esquistossomíase no município de Ilhéus e projetar seus cenários por meio da análise espacial.…”