Epidemiological profile of individuals with American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jequitinhonha Valley, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in 34 municipalities in Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, registered from 2005 to 2010 with the Regional Health Superintendence, using data from the Brazilian Disease Notification Information System. Among 281 cases, 156 (55.5%) were included in the study. A statistically significant difference was found in ACL among men between 21 and 60 years of age (P = 0.034) in relation to women and other age groups. Analysing the male sample, a significant association was found between ACL and occupation (P = 0.04). The cutaneous form occurred in 87.3% of cases. The medication most often employed was pentavalent antimony (87.3%), with cure achieved in 91.1% of cases. The epidemiological profile of ACL in the Jequitinhonha Valley is similar to that reported for other regions of Brazil, exhibiting a rural occupational nature and affecting men with low levels of schooling within the productive age.