Spatial distribution of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis cases in the rural areas of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and intensity of geohelminth infections and schistosomiasis remain high in the rural areas of Zona da Mata, Pernambuco (ZMP), Brazil, where these parasites still represent a significant public health problem. The present study aimed to spatially assess the occurrences of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the ZMP. METHODS: The ZMP has a population of 1,132,544 inhabitants, formed by 43 municipalities. An ecological study was conducted, using secondary data relating to positive human cases and parasite loads of schistosomiasis and positive human cases of geohelminthiasis that were worked up in Excel 2007. We used the coordinates of the municipal headquarters to represent the cities which served as the unit of analysis of this study. The Kernel estimator was used to spatially analyze the data and identify distribution patterns and case densities, with analysis done in ArcGIS software. RESULTS: Spatial analysis from the Kernel intensity estimator made it possible to construct density maps showing that the northern ZMP was the region with the greatest number of children infected with parasites and the populations most intensely infected by Schistosoma mansoni. In relation to geohelminths, there was higher spatial distribution of cases of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura in the southern ZMP, and greater occurrence of hookworms in the northern/central ZMP. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several surveys and studies showing occurrences of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis in the ZMP, no preventive measures that are known to have been effective in decreasing these health hazards have yet been implemented in the endemic area.

Recommendations from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology on the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal parasitic infections in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders

“…Of these, 300 million suffer from severe clinical forms of parasitic infections, and 155,000 die each year from these diseases. 4 Many infections occur throughout the world, even in countries where there are infection prevention measures, requiring considerable investment in public health infrastructure. 5 Ascariasis, trichuriasis and ancylostomides infections, among other intestinal helminthiasis, are concentrated amongst the poorest population and have high morbidity.…”

Análise da positividade da esquistossomose mansoni em Regionais de Saúde endêmicas em Pernambuco, 2005 a 2010

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Perfil socioeconômico e qualidade de vida dos pacientes com protozooses intestinais

“…A estimativa é de que uma pessoa em cada quatro encontra-se infectada 1 . Dessas pessoas, 300 milhões sofrem de formas clínicas graves de parasitoses e 155 mil morrem a cada ano devido a essas doenças 2 . Mesmo nos países onde há medidas de prevenção de infecção, elas acabam ocorrendo e, dessa forma, necessitam de consideráveis investimentos na infraestrutura de saúde pública 3 .…”