Leprosy prevalence spatial distribution and trend in a health region in Northeast Brazil, 2008-2017: an ecological study.

MAIN RESULTS: A total of 4,029 leprosy cases were notified. Mean prevalence varied between 2.0 and 11.5 cases/10,000 inhab. Spatial distribution of the cases was heterogeneous and there was a falling prevalence trend over the years studied. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: These findings point to the need to strengthen active tracing strategies and expand health actions and services targeting leprosy, with the aim of increasing detection and early treatment of cases. PERSPECTIVES: It is important to carry out epidemiological investigations on the spatial distribution and prevalence of leprosy in other health regions in the state, in order to identify other areas with greater vulnerability to leprosy. OBJECTIVE: to analyse the spatial distribution and trend of leprosy in municipalities of a health region in a Northeast Brazilian state. METHODS: this was an ecological time-series study based on compulsory notification of leprosy cases by the municipalities covered by the Imperatriz-MA Regional Health Management Unit, between 2008 and 2017; prevalence and mean prevalence for the period were calculated; spatial analysis of the area was carried out and maps were generated using ArcGis 10.5. Prais-Winsten regression was used for trend analysis. RESULT: 4,029 cases of the disease were identified, and average prevalence ranged from 2.0 to 11.5 cases/10,000 inhabitants-year. The overall trend was downward. Governador Edson Lobão had the highest prevalence, 11.5 cases/10,000 inhabitants, and Lajeado Novo had the lowest prevalence, 2.0 cases/10,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: spatial distribution of leprosy cases was heterogeneous in the municipalities studied and prevalence had a falling trend.

Distribuição espacial e tendência da prevalência da hanseníase em uma regional de saúde do Nordeste brasileiro, 2008-2017: um estudo ecológico / Leprosy prevalence spatial distribution and trend in a health region in Northeast Brazil, 2008-2017: an ecological study / Distribución espacial y tendencia en la prevalencia de la lepra en una región sanitaria del Nordeste de Brasil, 2008-2017: un estudio ecológico

Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial e a tendência da hanseníase em municípios de uma regional de saúde de um estado no Nordeste brasileiro. Métodos: estudo ecológico e de séries temporais, sobre a notificação compulsória dos municípios integrantes da Unidade Gestora Regional de Saúde de Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brasil, entre 2008 e 2017; foram determinadas as prevalências e a média para o período; realizou-se a análise espacial de área e os mapas foram gerados pelo aplicativo ArcGis 10.5; na análise de tendência, utilizou-se a regressão de Prais-Winsten. Resultado: foram identificados 4.029 casos da doença e as médias de prevalência variaram de 2,0 a 11,5 casos/10 mil habitantes/ano, com tendência descendente; Governador Edson Lobão apresentou a maior prevalência, 11,5 casos/10 mil hab., e Lajeado Novo a menor, 2,0 casos/10 mil hab. Conclusão: a distribuição espacial dos casos de hanseníase foi heterogênea nos municípios estudados e a tendência da prevalência, decrescente.

Objective: to analyse the spatial distribution and trend of leprosy in municipalities of a health region in a Northeast Brazilian state. Methods: this was an ecological time-series study based on compulsory notification of leprosy cases by the municipalities covered by the Imperatriz-MA Regional Health Management Unit, between 2008 and 2017; prevalence and mean prevalence for the period were calculated; spatial analysis of the area was carried out and maps were generated using ArcGis 10.5. Prais-Winsten regression was used for trend analysis. Result: 4,029 cases of the disease were identified, and average prevalence ranged from 2.0 to 11.5 cases/10,000 inhabitants-year. The overall trend was downward. Governador Edson Lobão had the highest prevalence, 11.5 cases/10,000 inhabitants, and Lajeado Novo had the lowest prevalence, 2.0 cases/10,000 inhabitants. Conclusion: spatial distribution of leprosy cases was heterogeneous in the municipalities studied and prevalence had a falling trend.

Objetivo: analisar la distribución espacial y la tendencia de la lepra en una región sanitaria de un estado del Nordeste brasileño. Métodos: estudio ecológico y de serie temporal, con notificación obligatoria de los municipios de la Unidad de Gestión Regional de Salud de Imperatriz-MA, entre 2008-2017. Se determinaron la prevalencia y la media del período y se realizó un análisis del espacio de área, los mapas se generaron en ArcGis 10.5. Para el análisis de tendencia se utilizaron regresiones de Prais-Winsten. Resultado: se identificaron 4.029 casos y las prevalencias promedio oscilaron entre 2,0 y 11,5 casos/10.000 habitantes-año, con tendencia al descenso. Governador Edson Lobão presentó la mayor prevalencia 11,5 casos/10.000 habitantes y Lajeado Novo la menor prevalencia 2,0 casos/10.000 habitantes. Conclusión: la distribución espacial de los casos de lepra fue heterogénea en los municipios y la tendencia de prevalencia decreciente.

Spatial-temporal analysis of leprosy in a priority Brazilian northeast municipality for disease control.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of leprosy in a priority municipality for leprosy control. METHODS: ecological study, conducted in a city in the Northeast of Brazil, whose analysis units were census sectors. The study used compulsory notification data for cases registered between 2008 and 2017. TerraView software and the Batch Geocode tool was used for geocoding. The detection of spatial-temporal agglomerations of high relative risks was done by scanning statistics. RESULTS: the spatial-temporal distribution of cases was heterogeneous, creating four agglomerations of high relative risks in the urban area of the municipality between the years 2008 and 2012; and annual prevalence rates classified from high to hyperendemic. CONCLUSIONS: areas of higher risk and concentration of the disease in space-time were linked to the characteristics of high population density and social vulnerability of these spaces, raising the prioritization of health professionals' actions, systems, and services for control, and monitoring the disease.

Spatial-temporal analysis of leprosy in a priority Brazilian northeast municipality for disease control / Análisis espacio-temporal de la lepra en municipio del noreste brasileño prioritario para el control de la enfermedad / Análise espaço-temporal da hanseníase em município do Nordeste brasileiro prioritário para o controle da doença

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of leprosy in a priority municipality for leprosy control. Methods: ecological study, conducted in a city in the Northeast of Brazil, whose analysis units were census sectors. The study used compulsory notification data for cases registered between 2008 and 2017. TerraView software and the Batch Geocode tool was used for geocoding. The detection of spatial-temporal agglomerations of high relative risks was done by scanning statistics. Results: the spatial-temporal distribution of cases was heterogeneous, creating four agglomerations of high relative risks in the urban area of the municipality between the years 2008 and 2012; and annual prevalence rates classified from high to hyperendemic. Conclusions: areas of higher risk and concentration of the disease in space-time were linked to the characteristics of high population density and social vulnerability of these spaces, raising the prioritization of health professionals' actions, systems, and services for control, and monitoring the disease.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar distribución espacio-temporal de lepra en municipio prioritario para control de la enfermedad. Métodos: estudio ecológico, realizado en municipio brasileño, cuyas unidades de análisis fueron sectores censuales. Utilizaron datos de notificación obligatoria relativos a casos registrados entre 2008 y 2017. Para geocodificación, utilizaron el software TerraView y herramienta Batch Geocode. Detección de aglomerados espacio-temporales de altos riesgos relativos realizada por estadística de barredura. Resultados: distribución espacio-temporal de los casos fue heterogénea, con formación de cuatro aglomerados de altos riesgos relativos en la zona urbana del municipio entre 2008 y 2012; y tasas de prevalencia año clasificadas de altas a hiperendémicas. Conclusiones: áreas de mayor riesgo y concentración de la enfermedad en el espacio-tiempo estuvieron relacionadas a las características de alta densidad demográfica y de vulnerabilidad social de esos espacios, suscitando la priorización de acciones de los profesionales, sistemas y servicios de salud para control y vigilancia de la enfermedad.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a distribuição espaço-temporal da hanseníase em município prioritário para controle da doença. Métodos: estudo ecológico, realizado em município do Nordeste brasileiro, cujas unidades de análise foram setores censitários. Utilizaram-se dados de notificação compulsória relativos aos casos registrados entre 2008 e 2017. Para geocodificação, utilizaram-se o software TerraView e a ferramenta Batch Geocode. A detecção de aglomerados espaço-temporais de altos riscos relativos foi feita por estatística de varredura. Resultados: a distribuição espaço-temporal dos casos foi heterogênea, com formação de quatro aglomerados de altos riscos relativos na zona urbana do município entre os anos de 2008 e 2012; e taxas de prevalência-ano classificadas de altas a hiperendêmicas. Conclusões: áreas de maior risco e concentração da doença no espaço-tempo estiveram atreladas às características de alta densidade demográfica e de vulnerabilidade social desses espaços, suscitando a priorização de ações dos profissionais, sistemas e serviços de saúde para controle e vigilância da doença.

Spatial-temporal analysis of leprosy in a priority Brazilian northeast municipality for disease control / Análisis espacio-temporal de la lepra en municipio del noreste brasileño prioritario para el control de la enfermedad / Análise espaço-temporal da hanseníase em município do Nordeste brasileiro prioritário para o controle da doença

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of leprosy in a priority municipality for leprosy control. Methods: ecological study, conducted in a city in the Northeast of Brazil, whose analysis units were census sectors. The study used compulsory notification data for cases registered between 2008 and 2017. TerraView software and the Batch Geocode tool was used for geocoding. The detection of spatial-temporal agglomerations of high relative risks was done by scanning statistics. Results: the spatial-temporal distribution of cases was heterogeneous, creating four agglomerations of high relative risks in the urban area of the municipality between the years 2008 and 2012; and annual prevalence rates classified from high to hyperendemic. Conclusions: areas of higher risk and concentration of the disease in space-time were linked to the characteristics of high population density and social vulnerability of these spaces, raising the prioritization of health professionals' actions, systems, and services for control, and monitoring the disease.

RESUMEN Objetivos: analizar distribución espacio-temporal de lepra en municipio prioritario para control de la enfermedad. Métodos: estudio ecológico, realizado en municipio brasileño, cuyas unidades de análisis fueron sectores censuales. Utilizaron datos de notificación obligatoria relativos a casos registrados entre 2008 y 2017. Para geocodificación, utilizaron el software TerraView y herramienta Batch Geocode. Detección de aglomerados espacio-temporales de altos riesgos relativos realizada por estadística de barredura. Resultados: distribución espacio-temporal de los casos fue heterogénea, con formación de cuatro aglomerados de altos riesgos relativos en la zona urbana del municipio entre 2008 y 2012; y tasas de prevalencia año clasificadas de altas a hiperendémicas. Conclusiones: áreas de mayor riesgo y concentración de la enfermedad en el espacio-tiempo estuvieron relacionadas a las características de alta densidad demográfica y de vulnerabilidad social de esos espacios, suscitando la priorización de acciones de los profesionales, sistemas y servicios de salud para control y vigilancia de la enfermedad.

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a distribuição espaço-temporal da hanseníase em município prioritário para controle da doença. Métodos: estudo ecológico, realizado em município do Nordeste brasileiro, cujas unidades de análise foram setores censitários. Utilizaram-se dados de notificação compulsória relativos aos casos registrados entre 2008 e 2017. Para geocodificação, utilizaram-se o software TerraView e a ferramenta Batch Geocode. A detecção de aglomerados espaço-temporais de altos riscos relativos foi feita por estatística de varredura. Resultados: a distribuição espaço-temporal dos casos foi heterogênea, com formação de quatro aglomerados de altos riscos relativos na zona urbana do município entre os anos de 2008 e 2012; e taxas de prevalência-ano classificadas de altas a hiperendêmicas. Conclusões: áreas de maior risco e concentração da doença no espaço-tempo estiveram atreladas às características de alta densidade demográfica e de vulnerabilidade social desses espaços, suscitando a priorização de ações dos profissionais, sistemas e serviços de saúde para controle e vigilância da doença.

Factors Associated with Multibacillary Leprosy in a Priority Region for Disease Control in Northeastern Brazil: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy is an infectious disease that can lead to physical disabilities and stigmatization. It remains an important public health problem, especially in Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To analyse sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with multibacillary leprosy in a hyperendemic region of the disease in northeastern Brazil. METHOD: This is a retrospective observational study with secondary data acquired from 2012 to 2015, from a group of leprosy cases reported in a reference outpatient clinic for the treatment and followup of leprosy in the city of Imperatriz, Maranhao, in northeastern Brazil. RESULTS: From 905 new cases of leprosy studied, 656 (72.5%) were classified as multibacillary leprosy and 249 (27.5%) as paucibacillary leprosy. We observed that men were more likely to present 5 to 15 skin lesions (OR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.18-1.49; p <0.0001) and >15 skin lesions (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09 -1.45; p = 0.005) and a lower chance of having <5 skin lesions (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.59-0.76; p <0.0001). Women were more likely to have no affected nerves compared to men (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.20-1.77; p <0.0001). The age range of 16 to 60 years showed a greater chance of having <5 skin lesions (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.007-1.20; p = 0.03) and a lower chance of having 5 to 15 skin lesions (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03-1.23; p= 0.008) and a lower chance of being a grade I disability ( CI= 0.73-0.94; p=0.83) and II (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98; p=000.1). CONCLUSION: Cases of multibacillary leprosy were associated with male gender, low educational level, and clinical variables such as number of skin lesions and grade I or II disability.

Incidência de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos acompanhados no Município de Imperatriz, Maranhão, entre 2004 e 2010 / Incidence of leprosy in patients aged 15 or younger cared in the Municipality of Imperatriz, Maranhão, between 2004 and 2010

Objetivou-se estimar a incidência global e em casos índices de hanseníase e traçar o perfil sócio demográfico em menores de 15 anos no município de Imperatriz, Maranhão. Realizou-se um estudo longitudinal retrospectivo dos casos de hanseníase no município, utilizando-se dados obtidos das notificações do agravo junto ao SINAN NET. A população do estudo compreendeu 284 casos novos notificados no período entre 2004 e 2010. A análise dos dados utilizou os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson ou o Exato de Fischer. Evidenciou-se elevados coeficientes de detecção no ano de 2005 (83,38/ 100.000 hab.), incapacidade física no diagnóstico em 2004 (39,62%.) e de contatos examinados (24,44%). Houve predomínio de casos no sexo masculino (51,06%), cor parda (55,65%), faixa etária de 10­14 anos (60,22%) e com escolaridade média de 6­11 anos (59,8%). A maioria das formas clínicas notificadas foi do tipo indeterminada (40,13 %), tendo como predominante o grau de incapacidade física II (21,1 %). Não foram estatisticamente significantes as diferenças proporcionais entre as formas clínicas (p-valor=0,056); ao passo que a escolaridade apresentou associação significativa (p<0,0001) com a ocorrência da doença entre menores de 15 anos de idade. Conclui-se que a hanseníase continua uma doença de fácil disseminação, considerando a frequência de casos novos.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the global incidence and cases indexes of leprosy and to design the socio-demographic profile in children under 15 years of age in the municipality of Imperatriz, in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. A longitudinal retrospective study of leprosy cases in the municipality was performed, using information generated by the disease reports in SINAN NET. Data collection included 284 patients reported from 2004 to 2010, classified as new cases. Data analysis used Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. There were high detection coefficients in 2005 (83.38/100.000 inhabitants), physical incapacity in the diagnosis in 2004 (39.62%) and in examined contacts (24.44%). There was a predominance of male (51.06%), brown color (55.65%), aged between 10-14 years (60.22%), and average schooling of 6-11 years (59.8%). Most of the clinical forms reported were of the indeterminate type (40.13%), with predominance of physical incapacity degree II (21.1%). The proportional differences between the clinical forms (p-value = 0.056) were not statistically significant, while schooling presented a significant association (p <0.0001) with the occurrence of the disease among children under 15 years of age. It can be concluded that leprosy remains a disease with easy spread when considering the rate of new cases.