Spatial Clusters of Chronic Childhood Conditions in the State of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction:chronic conditions are complex health problems that require continuous and multidisciplinary care. When they affect children/adolescents, they require hospitalizations and periodic and long-term follow-up. Understanding the geographical distribution of these conditions will provide greater visibility to the problem and support the decision-making process. Objective: detect the spatial clusters of chronic health conditions affecting children and adolescents in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Methods: ecological, retrospective, study employing secondary data from the Information System of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Disease from a reference hospital in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, covering the period from 2015 to 2017. The Spatial Incidence Ratio and the Spatial Scan statistic were used for the data analysis. Results: a concentration of spatial clusters was observed in the Mata Paraibana mesoregion, an area where the public hospital service is located, which functions as a reference in the recurrent hospitalizations of this population with chronic conditions. Conclusion: the detection of spatial clusters can help public managers to recognize the priority areas for the monitoring of chronic conditions in children and adolescents.