Eating habits of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: The impact of social isolation.

BACKGROUND: The social isolation enforced as a result of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may impact families' lifestyle and eating habits. The present study aimed to assess the behaviour and dietary patterns of Brazilian children and adolescents during the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The present study was conducted using an online, anonymous cross-sectional survey with 589 children and 720 adolescents from Brazil during a nationwide social isolation policy. The Mann-Whitney U-test or the Kruskal-Wallis with the Dunn post-hoc method and a radar chart were used to compare the weekly consumption of each food by age group and isolation status. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analyses were conducted using R statistical software, version 4.0.2 (R Foundation for Statisitical Computing). RESULTS: We found that isolated families showed breakfast eating habits and the consumption of raw salad, vegetables, beans and soft drinks. Lower-class isolated families and those from the Northeast region consumed fruits, juices, vegetables and beans less frequently. Compared to children, adolescents were less isolated (p = 0.016), less active (p < 0.001), exposed to longer screen time (p < 0.001), showed an inadequate sleeping pattern (p = 0.002) and were from lower-class families (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation affected the eating habits of children and adolescents. Non-isolated families presented a lower consumption of healthy food, especially those among the lower class, from Northeast Brazil, as well as adolescents.

Scenarios of profitability of western Mediterranean demersal fisheries in an effort control regime.

In 2019 a multiannual plan for Mediterranean demersal fisheries came into force with the objective to reduce the overexploitation of fisheries in the region by implementing effort control regimes. These measures, however, have the potential to adversely impact the local employment and profitability of the fisheries. In this paper, we examine scenarios on the short term and long term levels of economic yield of the sector using the two main drivers of fuel price and employment. Three main scenarios are defined as i) maintaining the average status quo, ii) effort control regimes implemented in the 2019 multiannual plan, and iii) flexible effort control regimes. For each of the aforementioned scenarios, three main fleets and five main conditions are considered, and the results will be compared and contrasted. The results in this paper show that the future rise in fuel price, which is anticipated due to global efforts to reduce emissions, along with the current effort reduction strategies could significantly threaten the sustainable profitability of the sector, and policy measures that could balance this issue should be implemented. Policy interventions and investments should be directed at technological advancements such as modernisation and increasing efficiency of fleet to reduce fuel use, utilisation of highly efficient gear technologies, shortened trips to fishing grounds, and increase in value creation in other parts of the fisheries supply chain to mitigate the serious challenges in terms of local employment and profitability facing the Mediterranean fisheries.

Socio-economic factors linked with mental health during the recession: a multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Periods of financial crisis are associated with higher psychological stress among the population and greater use of mental health services. The objective is to analyse contextual factors associated with mental health among the Spanish population during the recession. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional, descriptive study of two periods: before the recession (2006) and after therecession (2011-2012). The study population comprised individuals aged 16+ years old, polled for the National Health Survey. There were 25,234 subjects (2006) and 20,754 subjects (2012). The dependent variable was psychic morbidity. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: 1) socio-demographic (age, socio-professional class, level of education, nationality, employment situation, marital status), 2) psycho-social (social support) and 3) financial (GDP per capita, risk of poverty, income per capita per household), public welfare services (health spending per capita), labour market (employment and unemployment rates, percentage of temporary workers). Multilevel logistic regression models with mixed effects were constructed to determine change in psychic morbidity according to the variables studied. RESULTS: The macroeconomic variables associated with worse mental health for both males and females were lower health spending per capita and percentage of temporary workers. Among women, the risk of poor mental health increased 6% for each 100€ decrease in healthcare spending per capita. Among men, the risk of poor mental health decreased 8% for each 5-percentage point increase in temporary workers. CONCLUSIONS: Higher rates of precarious employment in a region have a negative effect on people's mental health; likewise lower health spending per capita. Policies during periods of recession should focus on support and improved conditions for vulnerable groups such as temporary workers. Healthcare cutbacks should be avoided in order to prevent increased prevalence of poor mental health.

Changes in Waist Circumference and Abdominal Obesity among Chinese Adults over a Ten-year Period.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe changes in waist circumference (WC) and prevalence of abdominal obesity over a period of 10 years among Chinese adults in different socio-economic status (SES). METHODS: Data derived from the China Nutrition and Health Surveillance during 2002 and 2010-2012. We calculated the mean WC and the prevalence of abdominal obesity by gender, place of residence, SES indicators (education, income, and marital status), and body mass index (BMI) categoriesand used pooled t-tests to assess the differences between the two time periods. RESULTS: 26.0% of men and 25.3% of women had abdominal obesity in 2010-2012. The age-adjusted mean WC increased by 2.7 cm among men and 2.1 cm among women; the age-adjusted prevalence of abdominal obesity increased by 7.7% among men and 5.3% among women. The rising trends were observed in all subgroups except for a negative growth in high-income women. People living in rural areas with low education and income and with a BMI of 18.5 to 23.9 kg/m2 had a greater absolute and relative increase in WC. People living in rural areas with low income had a greater relative increase in abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The mean WC and prevalence of abdominal obesity among Chinese adults have increased during the past 10 years. Gender differences were noted using various SES indicators.

Socio-economic determinants and inequities in coverage and timeliness of early childhood immunisation in rural Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent of socio-economic inequity in coverage and timeliness of key childhood immunisations in Ghana. METHODS: Secondary analysis of vaccination card data collected from babies born between January 2008 and January 2010 who were registered in the surveillance system supporting the ObaapaVita and Newhints Trials was carried out. 20 251 babies had 6 weeks' follow-up, 16 652 had 26 weeks' follow-up, and 5568 had 1 year's follow-up. We performed a descriptive analysis of coverage and timeliness of vaccinations by indicators for urban/rural status, wealth and educational attainment. The association of coverage with socio-economic indicators was tested using a chi-square-test and the association with timeliness using Cox regression. RESULTS: Overall coverage at 1 year of age was high (>95%) for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), all three pentavalent diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-haemophilus influenzae B-hepatitis B (DPTHH) doses and all polio doses except polio at birth (63%). Coverage against measles and yellow fever was 85%. Median delay for BCG was 1.7 weeks. For polio at birth, the median delay was 5 days; all other vaccine doses had median delays of 2-4 weeks. We found substantial health inequity across all socio-economic indicators for all vaccines in terms of timeliness, but not coverage at 1 year. For example, for the last DPTHH dose, the proportion of children delayed more than 8 weeks were 27% for urban children and 31% for rural children (P < 0.001), 21% in the wealthiest quintile and 41% in the poorest quintile (P < 0.001), and 9% in the most educated group and 39% in the least educated group (P < 0.001). However, 1-year coverage of the same dose remained above 90% for all levels of all socio-economic indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Ghana has substantial health inequity across urban/rural, socio-economic and educational divides. While overall coverage was high, most vaccines suffered from poor timeliness. We suggest that countries achieving high coverage should include timeliness indicators in their surveillance systems.

Socio-economic indicators, dietary patterns, and physical activity as determinants of maternal obesity in middle-income countries: Evidences from a cohort study in Mexico.

Maternal obesity is one of the main public health problems at a world level. It is a multifactorial disease with multiple causes, and few studies exist on its dietary patterns, physical activity and social determinants. This work aims to identify determinants of maternal obesity in a middle income country. Research is based on a prospective cohort design. Data were collected using questionnaires applied to pregnant women. Three dietary patterns were identified, and only half of the women carry out physical activity. The regression analysis showed an association between overweight/obesity and the following variables: age 25 to 29 years old (3.8; CI 1.6-9.0), 30 to 34 years old (3.7; CI 1.2-11.6); health problems during pregnancy (2.1; CI 1.0-4.1); socio-economic income (1.73; CI 1.54-2.05); hypertension (2.7; CI 1.4-4.5); mild food insecurity (1.9; CI 1.0-3.8); moderate insecurity (3.7; CI 0.92-15.4); refined food dietary pattern (.76; CI.61-.95). The risk of increasing BMI during pregnancy mainly depends on socioeconomic and demographic variables such as age, educational level, income, food insecurity, and dietary pattern. This study's results could be used as evidences for the revision, planning, and adjustment of interventions for the prevention and management of maternal obesity, as a part of the national strategies against overweight and obesity.

Mapping the research and development (R&D) landscape using a data series: A 20-year reflection on measuring R&D capacity in South Africa.

Science, technology, and innovation (STI) play a vital role in driving economic growth and social development. STI measurement, including the measurement of Research and Development (R&D) investment, is crucial in providing evidence for policy and decision-making to support STI in a country. In South Africa, the Human Sciences Research Council's Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), has, on behalf of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), conducted the annual national R&D Survey over the past two decades. As part of this, CeSTII has maintained an extensive database of historic unit-level survey responses. To date, the centre has a rich repository of curated R&D survey data series. These datasets are key tools for enhancing the system of STI indicators for evidence-based policy-making within the National System of Innovation (NSI). In this survey, CeSTII annually collects and reports on the country's R&D expenditure and personnel data across five sectors: business, not-for-profit organisations, government, science councils, and higher education institutions. Recently, these individual datasets have been merged to establish a coherent time series dataset to mitigate the challenge of repeatedly seeking historical data, which may be cumbersome and time-intensive process. The R&D indicators statistics are used by the government to inform STI policy on R&D for national priorities and required R&D funding levels and for monitoring and benchmarking purposes.

Spatiotemporal empirical analysis of particulate matter PM2.5 pollution and air quality index (AQI) trends in Africa using MERRA-2 reanalysis datasets (1980-2021).

In this study, the spatial-temporal trends of PM2.5 pollution were analyzed for subregions in Africa and the entire continent from 1980 to 2021. The distributions and trends of PM2.5 were derived from the monthly concentrations of the aerosol species from MERRA-2 reanalysis datasets comprising of sulphates (SO4), organic carbon (OC), black carbon (BC), Dust2.5 and Sea Salt (SS2.5). The resulting PM2.5 trends were compared with the climate factors, socio-economic indicators, and terrain characteristics. Using the Mann-Kendall (M-K) test, the continent and its subregions showed positive trends in PM2.5 concentrations, except for western and central Africa which exhibited marginal negative trends. The M-K trends also determined Dust2.5 as the dominant contributing aerosol factor responsible for the high PM2.5 concentrations in the northern, western and central regions of Africa, while SO4 and OC were respectively the most significant contributors to PM2.5 in the eastern and southern Africa regions. For the climate factors, the PM2.5 trends were determined to be positively correlated with the wind speed trends, while precipitation and temperature trends exhibited low and sometimes negative correlations with PM2.5. Socio-economically, highly populated, and bare/sparse vegetated areas showed higher PM2.5 concentrations, while vegetated areas tended to have lower PM2.5 concentrations. Topographically, low laying regions were observed to retain the deposited PM2.5 especially in the northern and western regions of Africa. The Air Quality Index (AQI) results showed that 94 % of the continent had an average PM2.5 of 12-35 µg/m3 hence classified as "Moderate" AQI, and the rest of the continent's PM2.5 levels was between 35 and 55 µg/m3 implying AQI classification of "Unhealthy for Sensitive People". Northern and western Africa regions had the highest AQI, while southern Africa had the lowest AQI. The approach and findings in this study can be used to complement the evaluation and management of air quality in Africa.

Deciphering the point source carbon footprint puzzle: Land use dynamics and socio-economic drivers.

Point source carbon emissions account for approximately 80 % of total emissions. Investigating the influence of land use and socio-economic indicators on these emissions is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. Existing research faces challenges such as focusing on specific regions, mixing variables that may exhibit multicollinearity, and lacking sufficient land use information. This study takes China, the largest emitting country, as a case study, utilizing geospatial big data to subdivide land use into 11 categories based on emission sectors. The impacts of land use and socio-economic indicators on different emission sectors are discussed from the perspectives of bivariate and spatial statistical analysis, with spatial hotspots identified. Hierarchical regression is used to evaluate the explanatory power of the indicators and to establish models, and potential carbon reduction strategies are further explored. Key findings reveal: (1) Significant multicollinearity between land use and socio-economic indicators was demonstrated, with land use explaining 57.1 % of emissions compared to 37.4 % explained by socio-economic indicators. The spatial consistency between land use and emissions exceeds 80 %, and the spatiotemporal variability is relatively low, making land use a more advantageous factor in explaining point source carbon emissions. (2) Agricultural mechanization increases emission intensity, but this efficient farming method helps convert surplus plowland, the largest influencing factor (Coefficient = 0.717), into carbon sinks, thereby controlling agricultural emissions. (3) Land intensification helps control industrial land, the main factor influencing industrial emissions (Coefficient = 0.392). It also contributes to the efficient use of carbon reduction technologies and industrial supporting land. (4) Mixed commercial and residential land has the greatest impact on commercial, service, and household emissions. However, its relationship with the economy (Correlation = 0.479) is stronger than its relationship with emissions (Correlation = 0.182), making it more applicable to cities that serve as economic growth hubs.

Research on Schistosomiasis in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Bibliometric Analysis.

The objectives of this work are to check whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the research on schistosomiasis, to provide an insight into the most productive countries and journals and the most cited publications, and to analyse any association between the total publications of countries and a set of socio-economic and demographic factors. Based on PRISMA methodology, we used the Scopus database to search for articles published between 1 January 2020 and 26 March 2022. VOSviewer was used to generate the co-authorship and the co-occurrence networks, and Spearman's rank correlation was applied to study associations. A total of 1988 articles were included in the study. Although we found that the year-wise distribution of publications suggests no impact on schistosomiasis research, many resources have been devoted to research on COVID-19, and the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance revealed the main activities for eradication of schistosomiasis had been affected. The most productive country was the United States of America. The articles were mainly published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. The most prolific funding institution was the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The total publications per country were significantly correlated with population, GERD, and researchers per million inhabitants, but not with GDP per capita and MPM.

The impact of socio-economic indicators on COVID-19: an empirical multivariate analysis of sub-Saharan African countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an unprecedented social and economic crisis. This study aims at investigating the impact of socio-economic indicators on the levels of COVID-19 (confirmed and death cases) in sub-Saharan Africa. The investigation makes use of the readily accessible public data: we obtain COVID-19 data from Johns Hopkins and socio-economic indicators from the World Bank. The socio-economic indicators (independent variables) used in the multilinear regression were GDP per capita, gross national income per capita, life expectancy, population density (people per sq. km of land area), the population aged 65 and above, current health expenditure per capita and total population. The dependent variables used were the COVID-19 confirmed and death cases. Amongst the seven socio-economic indicators, only 4 showed a statistically significant impact on COVID-19 cases: population density, gross national income per capita, population aged 65 and above and total population. The obtained R 2 of 69% and 63% indicated that the socio-economic indicators captured and explained the variation of COVID-19 confirmed cases and COVID-19 death cases, respectively. The startling results obtained in this study were the negative but statistically significant relationship between COVID-19 deaths and population density and the positive and statistically significant relationship between gross national income per capita and COVID-19 cases (both confirmed and deaths). Both these results are at odds with literature investigating these indicators in Europe, China, India and the UK.

Spatial variability in air pollution exposure in relation to socioeconomic indicators in nine European metropolitan areas: A study on environmental inequality.

A limited number of studies have addressed environmental inequality, using various study designs and methodologies and often reaching contradictory results. Following a standardized multi-city data collection process within the European project EURO-HEALTHY, we conducted an ecological study to investigate the spatial association between nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as a surrogate for traffic related air pollution, and ten socioeconomic indicators at local administrative unit level in nine European Metropolitan Areas. We applied mixed models for the associations under investigation with random intercepts per Metropolitan Area, also accounting for the spatial correlation. The stronger associations were observed between NO2 levels and population density, population born outside the European Union (EU28), total crimes per 100,000 inhabitants and unemployment rate that displayed a highly statistically significant trend of increasing concentrations with increasing levels of the indicators. Specifically, the highest vs the lowest quartile of each indicator above was associated with 48.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 42.9%, 54.8%), 30.9% (95%CI: 22.1%, 40.2%), 19.8% (95%CI: 13.4%, 26.6%) and 15.8% (95%CI: 9.9%, 22.1%) increase in NO2 respectively. The association with population density most probably reflects the higher volume in vehicular traffic, which is the main source of NO2 in urban areas. Higher pollution levels in areas with higher percentages of people born outside EU28, crime or unemployment rates indicate that worse air quality is typically encountered in deprived European urban areas. Policy makers should consider spatial environmental inequalities to better inform actions aiming to lower urban air pollution levels that will subsequently lead to improved quality of life, public health and health equity across the population.

Saudi Arabia-China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: intergovernmental green initiatives.

The objective of the study is to conduct the socio-economic and environmental survey about the feasibility of Saudi Arabia-China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (SCPEC) in five different dimensions, i.e., (i) key strengths of SCPEC project, (ii) prospective weaknesses of SCPEC project, (iii) opportunities attain Pakistan from SCPEC project, (iv) opportunities gain SCPEC from Pakistan, and (v) possible threats from SCPEC to other countries, including India. The larger number of intellects participated in this survey, including armed personnel working in strategic industries, academicians of higher education institutes, colleges, and public/private schools, doctors, civil servants, employees of non-governmental organizations, and others. The survey identified five major key strengths, including tourism promotion, infrastructure development, technology diffusion, energy demand, and mutual trade gains, while the prospective weaknesses are financial constraints, political instability, international dumping, corruption, and lack of good governance. The survey results show that Pakistan economy could attain maximum opportunities from SCPEC project in the form of economic empowerment, mutual trade gains, transportation development, entrepreneurship, and development of Gwadar port, while the SCPEC project gains from Pakistan in the form of economic stabilization, trade gains, and low transportation cost. The possible threats to SCPEC project to the other countries including India are political threats, security issues, Kashmir issue, and economic issues. The survey results conclude that the large number of intellects confirmed the positivity of SCPEC project for both the Pakistan and for the Chinese economy, while few intellects in numbers are incompatible with the SCPEC project due to economic, environmental, and security threats.

Socio-economic indicators and diet quality in an older population.

PURPOSE: To examine the strength and independence of associations between three major socio-economic indicators (income, education and occupation) and diet quality (DQ) at baseline and after 20-year follow-up. METHODS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses using data collected in the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort. Participants were categorised according to socio-economic indicators (education, occupation and household income) measured at baseline (1989-1993). Participants aged 55 years or older were included (n=5434). DQ was assessed at baseline (1989-1993) and after 20 years (2009-2011) and quantified using the Dutch Healthy Diet Index, reflecting adherence to the Dutch guidelines for a healthy diet; scores can range from 0 (no adherence) to 80 (optimal adherence). Linear regression models were adjusted for sex, age, smoking status, BMI, physical activity level, total energy intake and mutually adjusted for the other socio-economic indicators. RESULTS: At baseline, scores on the Dutch Healthy Diet Index were 2.29 points higher for participants with the highest level of education than for those with the lowest level (95%CI=1.23-3.36); in addition, they were more likely to have a higher DQ at follow-up (ß=3.10, 95%CI=0.71-5.50), after adjustment for baseline DQ. In contrast, higher income was associated with lower DQ at follow-up (ß=-1.92, 95%CI=-3.67, -0.17), whereas occupational status was not associated with DQ at baseline or at follow-up. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of Dutch participants, a high level of education was the most pronounced socio-economic indicator of high DQ at baseline and at follow-up. Our results highlight that different socio-economic indicators influence DQ in different ways.

Desigualdades Rurales en Colombia: Aportaciones para el Logro de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible / Rural Inequalities in Colombia: Contributions for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals / Desigualdades rurais na Colômbia: Contribuições para o cumprimento das Metas de Desenvolvimento Sustentável

Resumen Introducción: Las brechas de desigualdad entre zonas urbanas y rurales a nivel mundial y en especial en países en vía de desarrollo como Colombia, son cada vez mayores. Objetivo: Entre los principales fines de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible -ODS-, está la disminución de dichas brechas. En este artículo son analizados algunos indicadores que evidencian las diferencias existentes entre los territorios urbanos y rurales en Colombia, y la manera como el sector de la economía social y solidaria, especialmente el sector cooperativo, ha contribuido en dicho fin. Materiales y Métodos: Lo anterior bajo un enfoque social cualitativo con método comparativo que busca a partir de la descripción y análisis estadístico de indicadores socioeconómicos, la relación entre el cumplimiento de los ODS y la contribución del sector cooperativo en algunas zonas del país. Los resultados sugieren que en Colombia el mayor déficit de indicadores y carencias son congruentes. Conclusión: los ODS, se encuentran en las zonas rurales debido a la existencia de factores estructurales que harán muy difícil el cumplimiento y aporte de nuestro país a la agenda del 2030, por lo que se requiere de manera urgente la intervención de otros actores.

Abstract Introduction: The inequality gaps between urban and rural areas worldwide and especially in developing countries such as Colombia, are increasing. Objective: Among the main purposes of the Sustainable Development Goals -ODS-, is the reduction of these gaps. In this article, some indicators that show the differences between urban and rural territories in Colombia are analyzed, and the way in which the social and solidarity economy sector, especially the cooperative sector, has contributed to this end. Materials and Methods: The foregoing under a qualitative social approach with a comparative method that seeks from the description and statistical analysis of socioeconomic indicators, the relationship between compliance with the SDGs and the contribution of the cooperative sector in some areas of the country. The Results suggest that in Colombia the greatest deficit of indicators and deficiencies are consistent. Conclusion: the SDGs are found in rural areas due to the existence of structural factors that will make it very difficult for our country to comply with and contribute to the 2030 agenda, therefore that the intervention of other actors is urgently required.

Resumo Introdução: As lacunas de desigualdade entre áreas urbanas e rurais em todo o mundo e especialmente em países em desenvolvimento como a Colômbia estão aumentando. Objetivos: Entre os principais objetivos dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável -ODS-, está a redução dessas lacunas. Neste artigo, são analisados alguns indicadores que mostram as diferenças entre os territórios urbano e rural na Colômbia e a forma como o setor da economia social e solidária, especialmente o cooperativista, tem contribuído para esse fim. Materiais e métodos: O anterior sob uma abordagem social qualitativa com um método comparativo que busca a partir da descrição e análise estatística dos indicadores socioeconômicos, a relação entre o cumprimento dos ODS e a contribuição do setor cooperativo em algumas áreas do país. Os Resultados: sugerem que na Colômbia os maiores déficits de indicadores e deficiências congruentes. Conclusão: os ODS encontram-se nas áreas rurais devido à existência de fatores estruturais que dificultarão o cumprimento e a contribuição de nosso país para a agenda 2030, portanto que a intervenção de outros atores é necessária com urgência.

Condicionantes socioambientais com influência da urbanização na transmissão de dengue: impactos à saúde pública / With environmental constraints influence of urbanization on the transmission of dengue: public health impacts

A presente dissertação engloba seis estudos que enfocam os fatores socioambientais que influenciam a vulnerabilidade local à dengue. Métodos estatísticos foram aplicados para analisar por um período de 14 anos (1999-2013), com destaque para 2008 e 2009, a incidência cumulativa de todos os casos de dengue registrados na população de Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Dados socioeconômicos e sociodemográficos, e variáveis, tais como, tamanho da população, educação, ocupação, riqueza e as condições de vida, complementaram a coleta de dados. Estes foram mapeados por incidência de dengue para comparar o padrão espacial global da doença por meio de ferramentas de análise espacial. Os resultados deste estudo mostram que a expansão urbana pode exercer um efeito sobre as taxas de dengue na região, de modo que aqueles locais com crescimento recente e desordenado, sem ainda condições ideais de infraestrutura urbana, podem se tornar hotspots de distribuição de casos, aumentando assim o risco de novas epidemias. Os regimes pluviométricos e de temperatura da região podem determinar o risco de dengue uma vez que as chuvas propiciam condições ideais para a formação de criadouros para o mosquito vetor Aedes aegypti. Os resultados mostram que existe um período de tempo ótimo até a aparecimento da epidemia, dado que a chuva e a temperatura influenciam diretamente o período de incubação intrínseca e extrínseca do vírus da dengue. As epidemias de dengue verificadas ao longo dos anos se fazem de modo exponencial, com um grande aumento no número de casos em um breve período de tempo. Esse crescimento pode influenciar a força de infecção da doença, ou seja, a taxa com que o vírus é passado das pessoas susceptíveis para o vetor, e novamente para a população susceptível, sustentando assim a epidemia. Os dados sugerem o efeito de variáveis socioeconômicas sobre as taxas de incidência de dengue e sua distribuição no espaço, além de encontrar relações com aqueles locais que experimentou aumento ou redução da doença. Os resultados mostraram a complexidade dos fatores associados à incidência de dengue no município de Coronel Fabriciano, que envolve fatores socioambientais urbanos, em diferentes escalas espaciais e temporais.