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.

Avaliação da completitude, consistência e não duplicidade dos dados de notificação da hanseníase no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, João Pessoa, Paraíba: estudo descritivo, 2001-2019 / Evaluation of completeness, consistency and non-duplication of leprosy notification data on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil: a descriptive study, 2001-2019 / Evaluación de la completitud, consistencia y no duplicidad de notificación de lepra en el Sistema de Información e Enfermidades de Declaración Obligatoria, en João Pessoa, Paraíba: estudio descriptivo, 2001-2019

Objetivo: analisar a completitude, consistência e não duplicidade dos dados da notificação da hanseníase em João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil, 2001-2019. Métodos: estudo descritivo, com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação; verificou-se a duplicidade (aceitável quando < 5%), completitude (grau excelente = incompletitude ≤ 5%) e consistência (excelente quando ≥ 90,0%) dos dados, utilizando-se a proporção de campos preenchidos e coerentes. Resultados: a amostra de 2.410 notificações apresentou duplicidade aceitável (0,3%); a completitude dos campos "baciloscopia", "no de nervos afetados", "contatos examinados" e "episódio reacional" foi muito ruim (mais de 50% incompletos); e a consistência entre os campos "classificação operacional" e "esquema terapêutico inicial", excelente (99,6%), enquanto entre "classificação operacional" e "forma clínica" foi baixa (50,7%). Conclusão: embora a duplicidade observada fosse aceitável, a completitude de campos sobre diagnóstico e acompanhamento foi ruim, dificultando a análise epidemiológica, o reconhecimento da situação do agravo e a adoção de medidas de controle da doença.

Objective: to analyze the completeness, consistency and non-duplication of leprosy notification data in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, 2001-2019. Methods: this was a descriptive study, conducted with data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System, which checked for "duplication" (acceptable: ≤5%), "completeness" (excellent = incompleteness ≤ 5%) and "consistency" (excellent: ≤ 90.0%), based on the proportion of complete and consistent fields. Results: the sample consisted of 2,410 notifications. Duplication was acceptable (0.3%). The completeness of the "bacilloscopy", "affected nerves", "examined contacts" and "reactive episode" fields was very poor (more than 50% incomplete). Consistency between the "operational classification" and "initial treatment regimen" fields was excellent (99.6%), while consistency between "operational classification" and "clinical form" was low (50.7%). Conclusion: although duplication was acceptable, poor completeness of diagnosis and follow-up fields hinders epidemiological analysis, recognition of the status of the disease and adoption of measures to control it.

Objetivo: analizar la completitud, consistencia y no duplicidad de los datos de notificación de lepra en João Pessoa, Paraíba, 2001 - 2019. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, realizado con datos del Sistema de Información de Enfermedades de Declaración Obligatoria, que verificó "duplicidad" (aceptable: < 5%). "completitud" (grado excelente: incompletitud ≤ 5%) y "consistencia" (excelente: ≥ 90,0%), utilizando la proporción de campos completos y coherentes. Resultados: se obtuvo una muestra de 2.410 notificaciones. La duplicidad se consideró aceptable (0,3%). La completitud de los campos "baciloscopía", "nervios afectados", "contactos examinados" y "episodio reaccional" fue muy pobre (más del 50% incompleta). La consistencia entre los campos "clasificación operativa" y "régimen terapéutico inicial" fue excelente (99,6%), mientras que "clasificación operativa" y "forma clínica" fue baja (50,7%). Conclusión: aunque la duplicidad es aceptable, la completitud de los campos de diagnóstico y seguimiento fue deficiente, lo que dificulta el análisis epidemiológico, el reconocimiento de la situación de la enfermedad y la adopción de medidas de control de la enfermedad.

Cenário epidemiológico da hanseníase e diferenças por sexo / Epidemiological scenario of leprosy and sex differences

Objetivo: Descrever o cenário epidemiológico da hanseníase segundo as características clínicas e demográficas entre indivíduos dos sexos feminino e masculino. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de série temporal. Avaliaram-se dados de pacientes notificados no Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) durante o período de 2014 a 2017 no município de Paulo Afonso, na Bahia. Resultados: Foram notificados 130 casos novos, com taxa de detecção média nas mulheres de 14,7±5,6 por 100 mil habitantes, ou seja, valores bem acima da média estadual e nacional (p=0,011). Além disso, observou-se predominância de casos multibacilares em homens e paucibacilares em mulheres (p>0,0001). A faixa etária mais acometida foi entre 35 e 64 anos (53,1%), independentemente do sexo. Conclusão: A hanseníase apresentou-se com grau de endemicidade muito alto e acometendo prioritariamente as mulheres. Portanto, há necessidade urgente de elaboração de políticas públicas mais direcionadas ao enfrentamento da doença no município. (AU)

Objective: To describe the epidemiological scenario of leprosy according to the clinical and demographic characteristic among men and women. Methods: This is an ecological time-series study. Data from patients notified in the Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) were evaluated from 2014 to 2017 in the municipality of Paulo Afonso, in Bahia. Results: A total of 130 new cases were reported, with an average detection rate in women of 14.7±5.6 per 100 thousand inhabitants, that is, values well above the state and national average (p=0.011). In addition, there is a predominance of multibacillary cases in men and paucibacillary cases in women (p>0.0001). The most affected age group was between 35 and 64 years old (53.1%), regardless of sex. Conclusion: Leprosy had a very high degree of endemicity affecting primarily women. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop public policies that are more focused on coping with the disease in the municipality. (AU)

Inequalities in health by regime of affiliation to the health system in events of obligatory notification, Colombia, 2015 / Desigualdades en salud según régimen de afiliación y eventos notificados al Sistema de Vigilancia (Sivigila) en Colombia, 2015

Introduction: Inequalities in the health field are caused by the differences in the social and economic conditions, that influence the disease risk and the measures taken to treat the disease. Objective: We aimed to estimate the social inequalities in health in Colombia, according to the type of affiliation to the health system as a proxy of socioeconomic status. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis calculating incidence rates age and sex adjusted for all mandatory reporting events using the affiliation regime (subsidized and contributory) as a socioeconomic proxy. Estimates were made at departmental level for 2015. Social inequalities were calculated in terms of absolute and relative gaps. Results: We found social inequalities in the occurrence of mandatory reporting events in population affiliated to the Colombian subsidized regime (poor population). In this population, 82.31 cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria per 100,000 affiliates were reported more than those reported in the contributory regime. Regarding the relative gap, belonging to the subsidized regime increased by 31.74 times the risk of dying from malnutrition in children under 5 years of age. Other events such as those related to sexual and reproductive health (maternal mortality, gestational syphilis and congenital syphilis); neglected diseases and communicable diseases related to poverty (leprosy and tuberculosis), also showed profound inequalities. Conclusion: In Colombia there are inequalities by regime of affiliation to the health system. Measured socioeconomic status was a predictor of increased morbidity and premature mortality.

Introducción. Las desigualdades en salud se generan por diferencias en las condiciones sociales y económicas, lo cual influye en el riesgo de enfermar y la forma de enfrentar la enfermedad. Objetivo. Evaluar las desigualdades sociales en salud en Colombia, utilizando el tipo de afiliación al sistema de salud como un parámetro representativo (proxy) de la condición socioeconómica. Materiales y métodos. Se trata de un análisis descriptivo y retrospectivo en el que se calcularon las tasas específicas de incidencia, ajustadas por edad y sexo, para eventos de notificación obligatoria, utilizando el régimen de afiliación (subsidiado o contributivo) como variable representativa del nivel socioeconómico. Las estimaciones se hicieron a nivel departamental para el 2015. Las desigualdades sociales se calcularon en términos de brechas absolutas y relativas. Resultados. Se evidencian desigualdades sociales en la ocurrencia de eventos de notificación obligatoria, las cuales desfavorecen a la población afiliada al régimen subsidiado. En esta población, se reportaron 82,31 casos más de malaria Plasmodium falciparum por 100.000 afiliados, que los notificados en el régimen contributivo. Respecto a la brecha relativa, el pertenecer al régimen subsidiado se asocia con un aumento de 31,74 veces del riesgo de morir por desnutrición en menores de cinco años. Otros eventos también presentaron profundas desigualdades, como los relacionados con la salud sexual y reproductiva (mortalidad materna, sífilis gestacional y sífilis congénita), las enfermedades infecciosas y las enfermedades transmisibles relacionadas con la pobreza (lepra y tuberculosis). Conclusión. El tipo de afiliación al Sistema General de Seguridad Social en Salud en Colombia es un buen indicador del nivel socioeconómico, y es un factor predictor de mayor morbilidad y mortalidad prematura asociada con los factores determinantes sociales de la salud.

Perfil epidemiológico dos contatos intradomiciliares de casos de hanseníase em capital hiperendêmica no Brasil / Epidemiological profile of in-house contacts of leprosy cases in a brazilian hypertendemic capital / Perfil pidemiológico de los contactos em casa de casos de leprosa em uma capital hipertendémica brasileña

Objetivo: Avaliar a situação dos contatos intradomiciliares dos casos de hanseníase notificados no ano de 2012 em São Luís/Maranhão. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo-descritivo-transversal, com coleta de dados utilizando-se instrumento estruturado. Resultados: A maioria dos contatos intradomiciliares eram mulheres (51,87%), idade entre 0 e 20 anos (40,29%), parentesco consanguíneo de 1º grau (54,92%), forma dimorfa (59,78%) e multibacilares (75,53%). Do total, 1880 (67,96%) não realizaram o exame dermatoneurológico. Entre os examinados, houve maior frequência no distrito Bequimão (28,48%), no qual 59,82% eram mulheres, idade entre 0 a 20 anos (44,77%). Ao exame, 91,27% apresentou-se normal. Dentre os suspeitos, 36,73% tinham hanseníase, 58,21% possuíam cicatriz da 1ª dose da BCG e 59,98% foram encaminhados a vacinação. A prevalência da doença entre os contatos foi de 1,62%. As ações da vigilância de contatos classificaram-se como precárias em São Luís. Conclusão: A maioria dos contatos registrados não foi examinada, evidenciando necessidade de fortificação das ações da vigilância no município

Objective: To evaluate the situation of in-house contacts of the cases of leprosy reported in 2012 in São Luis, Maranhão. Methods: Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study, with data collection using a structured instrument. Results: The majority of in-house contacts were women (51.87%), from 0 to 20 years of age (40.29%), first-degree kinship (54.92%), dimorphic shape (59.78) and multibacillary (75.53%). In total, 1880 (67.96%) did not take the dermato-neurological exam. Among those tested, there was a greater frequency in the Bequimão district (2.48%), 59.82% were women, from 0 to 20 years of age (44.77%). On the exam, 91.27% were normal. Among those suspected of carrying the disease, 36.73% had leprosy, 58.21% had scars from the first dose of BCG and 59.98% were sent to receive vaccination. The prevalence of the disease among the contacts was 1.62%. The actions of contact monitoring were classified as precarious in São Luis. Conclusion: The majority of registered contacts were not examined, highlighting the need for strengthening of monitoring efforts in the city

Objetivo: Evaluar la situación de los contactos intradomiciliares de los casos de hanseniasis notificados en el año 2012 en São Luis - MA. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo-descriptivo-transversal, con recolección de datos utilizando instrumento estructurado. Resultados: La mayoría de los contactos intradomiciliares eran mujeres (51,87%), edad entre 0 y 20 años (40,29%), parentesco consanguíneo de primer grado (54,92%), forma dimorfa (59,78%), multibacilares (75,53%). Del total, 1880 (67,96%) no realizaron el examen dermatoneurológico. Entre los examinados, hubo mayor frecuencia en el distrito de Bequimão (28,48%), el 59,82% eran mujeres, entre 0 a 20 años (44,77%). En el examen, el 91,27% se presentó normal. Entre los sospechosos, el 36,73% tenían hanseniasis, el 58,21% tenía cicatriz de la 1ª dosis de BCG y el 59,98% fueron encaminados a la vacunación. La prevalencia de la enfermedad entre los contactos fue del 1,62%. Las acciones de la vigilancia de contactos se clasificaron como precarias en San Luis. Conclusión: La mayoría de los contactos registrados no fueron examinados, evidenciando necesidad de fortificación de las acciones de la vigilancia en el municipio

The spatial epidemiology of leprosy in Kenya: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Leprosy elimination defined as a registered prevalence rate of less than 1 case per 10,000 persons was achieved in Kenya at the national level in 1989. However, there are still pockets of leprosy in some counties where late diagnosis and consequent physical disability persist. The epidemiology of leprosy in Kenya for the period 2012 through to 2015 was defined using spatial methods. METHODS: This was a retrospective ecological correlational study that utilized leprosy case based data extracted from the National Leprosy Control Program database. Geographic information system and demographic data were obtained from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Chi square tests were carried out to check for association between sociodemographic factors and disease indicators. Two Spatial Poisson Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) models were fitted in WinBUGS 1.4 software. The first model included all leprosy cases (new, retreatment, transfers from another health facility) and the second one included only new leprosy cases. These models were used to estimate leprosy relative risks per county as compared to the whole country i.e. the risk of presenting with leprosy given the geographical location. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Children aged less than 15 years accounted for 7.5% of all leprosy cases indicating active leprosy transmission in Kenya. The risk of leprosy notification increased by about 5% for every 1 year increase in age, whereas a 1% increase in the proportion of MB cases increased the chances of new leprosy case notification by 4%. When compared to the whole country, counties with the highest risk of leprosy include Kwale (relative risk of 15), Kilifi (RR;8.9) and Homabay (RR;4.1), whereas Turkana had the lowest relative risk of 0.005. CONCLUSION: Leprosy incidence exhibits geographical variation and there is need to institute tailored local control measures in these areas to reduce the burden of disability.

Spatial study of leprosy in Bahia, Brazil, 2001-2012: an approach based on the local empirical Bayesian model. / Estudo espacial da hanseníase na Bahia, 2001-2012: abordagem a partir do modelo bayesiano empírico local.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the temporal evolution and spatial distribution of epidemiological indicators of leprosy, both crude and also corrected using the empirical Bayesian model, Bahia, Brazil, 2001-2012. METHODS: this was an ecological study using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System; all 417 municipalities in Bahia were included and the following indicators per 100,000 inhabitants were analyzed - detection rate of new cases in the general population, in those <15 years old, and in those with grade 2 physical disability -; the local empirical Bayesian model was used to smoothen the indicators, and Student's t-test was used to compare means. RESULTS: indicators estimated by the model were higher than crude indicators; estimated detection rates in the general population and in those <15 years old were higher than crude rates in 253 (60.7%) and 209 (50.1%) municipalities, respectively; areas of greatest risk were concentrated in the northwestern and southern regions of the state. CONCLUSION: spatial distribution of the disease was heterogeneous and there was possible underreporting of cases.

Under-reporting of tuberculosis in Praia, Cape Verde, from 2006 to 2012.

SETTING: According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, the under-reporting rate for tuberculosis (TB) in Cape Verde between 2006 and 2012 was 49%. However, the WHO recognises the challenges associated with this estimation process and recommends implementing other methods, such as record linkage, to combat TB under-reporting. OBJECTIVES: To estimate and analyse under-reporting of cases by TB surveillance health units and to evaluate TB cases retrieved from other TB diagnostic sources in Praia, Cape Verde, from 2006 to 2012. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study evaluated under-reporting using the following data: 1) the under-reporting index from TB reporting health units (RHUs), where the number of validated TB cases from RHUs was compared with data from the National Programme for the Fight against Tuberculosis and Leprosy (NPFTL); and 2) the under-reporting index among overall data sources, or a comparison of the number of all validated TB cases from all sources with NPFTL data. RESULTS: The TB under-reporting rate was 40% in Praia during the study period, and results were influenced by laboratory findings. CONCLUSION: The TB under-reporting rate was very similar to the rate estimated by the WHO. TB surveillance must be improved to reduce under-reporting.

Trend of tuberculosis case notification and treatment outcome in Lagos State, Nigeria: a 5-year retrospective study.

Background: This study assessed trends of tuberculosis (TB) case notification rate (CNR) and treatment outcomes between 2011 and 2015 in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of TB notification data to the Lagos State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (LSTBLCP) between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2015 was conducted. Results: A total of 44 516 TB cases were notified during the study period, representing 9.4% of the national figure. The male:female ratio was 1.3:1. About 53%, 44.1% and 2.7% of patients were smear positive, smear negative and extrapulmonary TB cases, respectively. TB notification increased by 12.2% between 2011 and 2013 and subsequently declined by 7.2% in 2015 relative to 2013. The TB CNR declined from 82.9 per 100 000 in 2013 to 72.1 per 100 000 in 2015. However, directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) and microscopy site expansion increased from 0.3 to 0.64 per 25 000 population and from 0.16 to 0.4 per 50 000 population, respectively, from 2011 to 2015. Similarly, there was a slight increase in treatment success rate, from 80.1% in 2011 to 82% in 2015. Conclusion: The CNR declined in Lagos State despite an increasing trend in DOTS and microscopy site expansions between 2013 and 2015. The LSTBLCPs need to re-engineer current strategies of active TB case findings in order to improve case notification in the state.

Recidiva em hanseníase: revelações a partir de notificações epidemiológicas / Relapse in leprosy: revelations from epidemiological notifications

Modelo do estudo: estudo observacional transversal seriado descritivo de retro-análise comparativo multifásico. Objetivos do estudo: verificar características clínicas de casos de recidiva em hanseníase, identificados no momento da notificação. Metodologia: estudo realizado a partir da Unidade de Vigilância em Saúde (VISA) do Hospital e Maternidade Celso Pierro (HMCP), através da coleta de dados de 110 fichas de notificação / investigação de hanseníase do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) referentes a período de oito anos consecutivos, complementados com registros clínicos viáveis, em serviço médico-hospitalar universitário. Resultados descritivos, relativos às medidas de posição e variabilidade, apresentados sob forma tabular. Para os estudos das associações entre os atributos e as categorias de respostas, aplicação do teste de Goodman intra e inter proporções multinomiais. Todas as inferências estatísticas foram realizadas ao nível de 5% de significância. Resultados: apurou-se que, diante de casos novos para diagnóstico, são mais provavelmente não recidivantes aqueles detectados por encaminhamento que apresentam lesão única, um ou dois nervos afetados e sem incapacidades físicas. Já os recidivantes se classificam predominantemente como multibacilares, embora com baciloscopia negativa. Conclusões: Tais características divergem em alguns aspectos do encontrado na literatura técnica, cogitando-se como fatores explicativos possíveis a forma como são coletados e processados os dados do SINAN, o preparo dos médicos em detectar e a própria dificuldade do diagnóstico mediante a dinâmica das unidades básicas de saúde.

Type of study: comparative, observational, crosssectional, descriptive study. Objectives: to verify characteristics of leprosy relapsing cases; to clarify peculiarities of such people; to compare results with pertinent technical literature information; to try to understand respective convergences and divergences. Methods: study carried out on data from Health Surveillance Unit of Hospital and Maternity Celso Pierro, Campinas, Brazil, on 110 epidemiological notification information forms have been recorded from the National System on Diseases (SINAN) during eight consecutive years. Descriptive results, referring to position and variability measures are presented on table configuration. Associations have been searched by Goodman's tests intra and inter multinomial proportions. Results: it was observed that, in the diagnosis process, no relapse cases are more probably referred by other services, affected only by one lesion, with one or two nerves impaired and no physical disabilities. Otherwise, relapsed patients are classified as multibacillary, even if with negative bacilloscopy. Conclusions: such characteristics differ in some aspects in relation to what is mentioned on the literature. This can be explained by the way SINAN data are collected and processed, as well as by medical experience on detecting relapses and by operational difficulties presented in the Basic Health Units.

[Description of duplicate records held on the Notifiable Diseases Information System, Brazil, 2008-2009]. / Descrição dos registros repetidos no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, Brasil, 2008-2009.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the proportion of duplicate records held on the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System, 2008-2009. METHODS: identification of duplicate records of dengue, leprosy, visceral leishmaniasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis, meningitis and tuberculosis was conducted using Reclink III(r); the proportion of duplicate records was calculated by geographical region, state and municipal population size categories. RESULTS: visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and meningitis had higher proportions of duplicate notification (5.3% and 3.6%, respectively) whilst leprosy had the lowest (0.7%); the states with highest repetitions were Rio Grande do Norte (VL 6.8% and leprosy 5.1%), Rio de Janeiro (tuberculosis 2.5% and meningitis 4.9%) and Goiás (dengue 2.0% and meningitis 7.2%). CONCLUSION: the Northeast region had the highest proportion of duplicate records for four of the six diseases analyzed; with the exception of dengue, percentage repetition was lower in municipalities with larger population size.

Leprosy in England and Wales 1953-2012: surveillance and challenges in low incidence countries.

OBJECTIVE: To review all notified cases of leprosy in England and Wales between 1953 and 2012. DESIGN: National surveillance study of all reported cases. SETTING: England and Wales. OUTCOME: Number and characteristics of reported cases. RESULTS: During this period, a total of 1449 leprosy cases were notified. The incidence fell from 356 new cases notified between 1953 and 1962 to 139 new cases between 2003 and 2012. Where data were available, leprosy was more common in men, 15-45 year olds and those from the Indian subcontinent. There was considerable undernotification in 2001-2012. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of under-reporting indicates a need for improved surveillance in the UK. Public Health England, in collaboration with the UK Panel of Leprosy opinion, has revised the UK Memorandum on Leprosy in order to provide updated guidance on diagnostic procedures, treatment, case management, contact tracing and notification.

Treatment Outcomes of Childhood TB in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: : Treatment outcomes of tuberculosis (TB) in children are rarely evaluated by most national TB programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the treatment outcomes of children treated for TB in Lagos State, Nigeria. METHODS: A retrospective review of programme data of the Lagos state TB and the Leprosy control programme in Nigeria from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. Treatment outcomes were categorized according to the national TB guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 535 cases of childhood TB were notified in 2012, representing 6.3% of the total TB cases notified in Lagos state in 2012. The prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection was 29%. The treatment success rate was 79.2% in TB/HIV-negative children compared with 73.4% in TB/HIV-positive children (p = 0.1268). Children <1 year had the worst treatment outcomes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a need to intensify effort at improving notification and treatment outcomes in children.

Trend of childhood TB case notification in Lagos, Nigeria, 2011-2014.

BACKGROUND: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) has been neglected by national TB programs in sub-Saharan Africa because of the emphasis on adult smear-positive TB cases. About 80,000 HIV children die from TB, and over 550,000 childhood TB cases occur annually, representing 6% of the global TB burden, making TB an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Thus, this study assessed the trend of childhood TB cases notified in Lagos, Nigeria from 2011 to 2014. METHODS: Retrospective data review of childhood TB cases notified to the Lagos State TB and Leprosy Control Programme (LSTBLCP) between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 2396 children were treated for all forms of TB representing 6.8% of the total 35,305 TB cases notified during the study period. This constituted 1102 (46%) males and 1294 (54%) females. There was a progressive increase in the proportion of children treated for TB from 495 (5.9%) in 2011, 539 (6.4%) in 2012, 682 (7.2%) in 2013 and 680 (7.6%) in 2014. Of the total childhood TB cases notified, 16.3-20% were new sputum pulmonary smear positive; 68.2-74.6% were new sputum pulmonary smear negative; while extra-pulmonary TB accounted for 6.7-10.6%. The case notification rate (CNR) of childhood TB per 100,000 increased from 13.4 in 2011, 14.3 in 2012, 17.7 in 2013 and 17.2 in 2014. CONCLUSION: There was an increase in the case notification rate of TB among children between 2011 and 2014. Efforts should be made to sustain this increasing trend.

Burden of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease (Buruli ulcer) and the underreporting ratio in the territory of Songololo, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous infection by Mycobacterium ulcerans, also known as Buruli ulcer (BU), represents the third most common mycobacterial disease in the world after tuberculosis and leprosy. Data on the burden of BU disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo are scanty. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate and the distribution of BU in the Songololo Territory, and to assess the coverage of the existing hospital-based reporting system. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (July-August 2008) using the door-to-door method simultaneously in the two rural health zones (RHZ) of the Songololo Territory (RHZ of Kimpese and Nsona-Mpangu), each containing twenty health areas. Cases were defined clinically as active BU and inactive BU in accordance with WHO-case definitions. RESULTS: We detected 775 BU patients (259 active and 516 inactive) in a total population of 237,418 inhabitants. The overall prevalence of BU in Songololo Territory was 3.3/1000 inhabitants, varying from 0 to 27.5/1000 between health areas. Of the 259 patients with active BU, 18 (7%) had been reported in the hospital-based reporting system at Kimpese in the 6-8 months prior to the survey. CONCLUSION: The survey demonstrated a huge variation of prevalence between health areas in Songololo Territory and gross underreporting of BU cases in the hospital-based reporting system. Data obtained may contribute to better targeted and improved BU control interventions, and serve as a baseline for future assessments of the control program.

One year follow up of a cohort of suspected leprosy cases: findings from a leprosy 'Selective Special Drive' in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, India.

OBJECTIVES: The study involves a follow-up visit in 2010, to hyper-endemic Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India, to evaluate the current status of those suspected in 2009 of having skin/nerve lesions suggestive of leprosy, and to study the interactions between such people and the State leprosy programme. DESIGN: The study cohort comprised of those confirmed with leprosy (n = 151 and 157/233 absentee 'suspects' who were not examined by the study team in 2009 in 14 of 45 Primary Health Centres (PHCs). At follow-up, the treatment status of the confirmed cases was checked from PHC registers and cross-checked by direct questioning of patients and their views were sought on PHC leprosy services. The 157 absentee 'suspects' were queried about the reasons for their absence. RESULTS: Thirty nine 'absentee suspects' were found to have leprosy. A notable feature of the follow-up visit was that 114 people in the communities, other than those listed as 'suspects' by Community Health Workers (CHWs), voluntarily sought out the team for their opinion on hypopigmented/anaesthetic lesions, which resulted in a further 39 new cases being brought to light. (Total new cases = 78). The follow-up revealed discrepancies (100% vs. 75%) between PHC records and testimonies of the registered patients about regularity of treatment; irregularity of MDT supply was cited by some for dropping out of treatment. Other reasons proffered for irregularity were lepra reaction, fear of stigma, ignorance about leprosy and preference for faith healers. Medical Officers of PHCs were not trained in the management of lepra reactions; that task, along with disability care being entrusted to a paramedical worker of an NGO during periodic visits. CONCLUSIONS: There are remediable lacunae in the recording and dispensing of MDT by the State apparatus, as well as a need for refresher training in leprosy diagnosis for PHC staff, and in lepra reaction management for medical officers. The large number (78) of new cases detected in the follow-up, in part of Gadchiroli district strongly suggests more to-be-discovered cases in the communities.

From DOTS to the Stop TB Strategy: DOTS coverage and trend of tuberculosis notification in Ebonyi, southeastern Nigeria, 1998-2009.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria ranks fourth among the 22 high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries. The estimated incidence of all TB cases in 2009 was 311/100,000 population. Since the implementation of DOTS in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria, the epidemiology of TB in the region has not been documented. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the type and case notification dynamics of TB following DOTS expansion and to examine age- and sex-specific trends in TB notification rate. METHODS: A retrospective trend analysis of case notification data from the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health records from 1998 to 2009 was conducted. Patients were diagnosed according to the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme guidelines. Denominators for TB notifications were derived from population census data. RESULTS: Of the 24, 475 cases notified between 1998 and 2009, 66% were smear-positive, 31% smear-negative and 3% had extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Overall, the proportion of new smear-positive cases notified decreased continuously from 67% to 48% in 2009 while that of smear-negative cases increased from 29% to 40% in 2009. In 2005, 13 (100%) of the local government areas were covered by DOTS. Despite initial increase in case notification with DOTS expansion, the case notification rate had a mean annual decline of 3.1% for all TB cases (falling from 123/100,000 to 77/100,000), and of 5% for smear-positive patients (falling from 80/100,000 to 32/100,000). Smear-positive notification rate in children <14 years was consistently low while 25-34-year-old persons were affected most. However, smear-positive rates among persons aged =65 years did not change. Overall, annual new smear-positive notification rates were persistently lower in females than males. CONCLUSION: TB notification rate shows a decreasing trend in our region with a pool of infectious cases in young-persons. Additional targeted, type and age-/sex- specific interventions for TB control are needed.

[Leprosy in indigenous populations of Amazonas State, Brazil: an epidemiological study in the counties of Autazes, Eirunepé and São Gabriel da Cachoeira (2000 to 2005)]. / Hanseníase em populações indígenas do Amazonas, Brasil: um estudo epidemiológico nos municípios de Autazes, Eirunepé e São Gabriel da Cachoeira (2000 a 2005).

In 2005, Amazonas State, Brazil, showed hyperendemic leprosy detection coefficients and prevalence with medium endemicity. Although this State has the largest indigenous population in Brazil, there are no data on the leprosy profile in these groups. This study aimed to describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy case reporting in the municipalities (counties) of Autazes, Eirunepé, and São Gabriel da Cachoeira, comparing indigenous and non-indigenous findings according to target variables. A total of 386 cases reported to SINAN from 2000 to 2005 were analyzed. Mean detection rates were 3.55, 14.94, and 2.13/10,000 (among non-indigenous) and 10.95, 1.93, and 0.78/10,000 (among indigenous peoples) in Autazes, Eirunepé, and São Gabriel da Cachoeira, respectively. Paucibacillary cases predominated among both indigenous and non-indigenous populations; however, dimorphous cases represented one-third of notifications. Despite coverage limitations and underreporting, the findings suggest that leprosy is a major public health problem for indigenous populations in Amazonas State. Classification according to race/ethnicity has been a useful tool for solving health inequalities.

Hanseníase em populações indígenas do Amazonas, Brasil: um estudo epidemiológico nos municípios de Autazes, Eirunepé e São Gabriel da Cachoeira (2000 a 2005) / Leprosy in indigenous populations of Amazonas State, Brazil: an epidemiological study in the counties of Autazes, Eirunepé and São Gabriel da Cachoeira (2000 to 2005)

In 2005, Amazonas State, Brazil, showed hyperendemic leprosy detection coefficients and prevalence with medium endemicity. Although this State has the largest indigenous populationin Brazil, there are no data on the leprosy profile in these groups. This study aimed to describe and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of leprosy case reporting in the municipalities (counties) of Autazes, Eirunepé, and São Gabriel da Cachoeira, comparing indigenous and nonindigenousfindings according to target variables.A total of 386 cases reported to SINAN from 2000 to 2005 were analyzed. Mean detection rates were 3.55, 14.94, and 2.13/10,000 (among nonindigenous) and 10.95, 1.93, and 0.78/10,000 (among indigenous peoples) in Autazes, Eirunepé, and São Gabriel da Cachoeira, respectively. Paucibacillary cases predominated among both indigenous and non-indigenous populations; however, dimorphous cases represented one-thirdof notifications. Despite coverage limitations and underreporting, the findings suggest that leprosy is a major public health problem for indigenouspopulations in Amazonas State. Classification according to race/ethnicity has been a useful tool for solving health inequalities.

O Estado do Amazonas, Brasil, apresentou, em 2005, coeficientes hiperendêmicos de detecção de hanseníase e prevalência de média endemicidade. O estado detém a maior população indígena no país, mas inexistem informações sobre o perfil da hanseníase nesses grupos. O estudo objetivou a descrição e análise das características epidemiológicas das notificações de hanseníase nos municípios de Autazes, Eirunepé e São Gabriel da Cachoeira, comparando achados entre indígenas e não indígenas, segundo variáveis de interesse. Foram analisados os casos notificados no SINAN, no período de 2000 a 2005. Do total de 386 casos notificados, verificaram- se coeficientes médios de detecção de 3,55, 14,94 e 2,13/10 mil (entre os não indígenas) e de 10,95, 1,93 e 0,78/10 mil (para os indígenas), para Autazes,Eirunepé e São Gabriel da Cachoeira, respectivamente. Houve predomínio de casos paucibacilares em indígenas e em não indígenas, no entanto, a forma dimorfa representou 1/3 das notificações. Apesar das limitaçõesde cobertura e do sub-registro, os achados sugerem que a hanseníase representa importante problema de saúde pública para os indígenas no Amazonas. A classificação segundo “raça/etnicidade” se constituiu em ferramenta útil para elucidar desigualdades em saúde.