Spatial patterns of new leprosy cases in a northeastern state of Brazil, 2011–2021

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the spatial patterns of leprosy in Pernambuco from 2011 to 2021. Methods: This is an ecological epidemiological study, carried out with data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System, based on new cases of leprosy among inhabitants of Pernambuco, between 2011–2021. An empirical Bayesian analysis of local and spatial dependence was performed with the global and local Moran indices. Results: 25,008 new cases of leprosy were registered with an annual case detection rate in the general population of 16.51 cases/100,000 inhabitants — which is considered high. Among those younger than 15 years of age, there were 5.16 cases/100,000 inhabitants (high) and 0.89/100,000 inhabitants with degree II of physical disability (low); there were also many high-risk cases with an overall Moran index of 0.33 (p<0.001), active transmission (0.26; p<0.001), and subsequent diagnosis of the disease (0.12; p<0.006), as well as distribution in macro-region 1 and macro-region 4. Conclusion: There was a heterogeneous spatial distribution in the state, showing two overviews, the first being the presence of municipalities with high risk of disease transmission and the second with clusters of silent municipalities, reinforcing the character of leprosy neglect as a major public health problem. This study brings reflections for leprosy control actions, due to the identification of priority areas to combat this disease in Pernambuco.

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

“… 23 A study in the state of Pernambuco, from 2011 to 2021, analyzed the spatial pattern of leprosy and found heterogeneity between municipalities in the overall detection rate and in those under 15 years of age, with values ​​ranging from low to hyperendemic. 24 …”

“…23 A study in the state of Pernambuco, from 2011 to 2021, analyzed the spatial pattern of leprosy and found heterogeneity between municipalities in the overall detection rate and in those under 15 years of age, with values ranging from low to hyperendemic. 24 In the state of Bahia, as in Piauí, higher case frequencies were found in males and among people of mixed race/skin color. With rates considered very high, the pattern between different health regions was also uneven.…”

Caracterização de casos e indicadores epidemiológicos e operacionais da hanseníase: análise de séries temporais e distribuição espacial, Piauí, 2007-2021

“…23 Outro estudo, em Pernambuco, de 2011 a 2021, analisou o padrão espacial da hanseníase e verificou heterogeneidade da taxa de detecção geral e em menores de 15 anos entre os municípios, cujos valores variavam de baixos até hiperendêmicos. 24 Na Bahia, assim como no Piauí, observaram--se maiores frequências de casos na população masculina e entre pessoas de raça/cor da pele parda. Com taxas consideradas muito altas, o padrão entre as diferentes regiões de saúde também foi desigual.…”