History, Epidemiology, and Clinical Manifestations of Zika: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe salient epidemiological characteristics of Zika virus outbreaks across the world and to examine the clinical presentations, complications, and atypical manifestations related to their occurrence in recent history. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the literature by searching through MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Health Library, as well as the epidemiological bulletins and alerts from the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control over the period 1954 to 2016. RESULTS: The search yielded 547 records. We retained 333 for further analysis, to which we added 11 epidemiological bulletins from various sources. Of these, we systematically reviewed 52 articles and reports, revealing some epidemiological features and patterns of spread of the Zika virus worldwide, as well as pathological outcomes suspected to be linked to Zika outbreaks. Neurologic disorders among zika patients were similar in Brazil and French Polynesia but a causal link is not established. Incidence of zika infection in pregnant women is not known. In Brazil, during the zika outbreak the incidence of microcephaly increased more than 20 times. Among 35 infants with microcephaly, born from women suspected to have Zika infection during pregnancy in northeast Brazil, 74% of the mothers reported rash during the first and second trimester. CONCLUSIONS: On February 1, 2016, The World Health Organization declared the ongoing Zika crisis an emergency and that, although not yet scientifically proven, the link between the virus and growing numbers of microcephaly cases was "strongly suspected." However, the causal relationship between zika and microcephaly is not universally accepted. Public Health Implications. The current situation with regard to Zika is not encouraging, because there is no vaccine, no treatment, and no good serological test, and vector control remains a challenge.

The spatiotemporal trajectory of a dengue epidemic in a medium-sized city.

Understanding the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases is important to allow for improvements of control measures. To investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of an epidemic dengue occurred at a medium-sized city in the Northeast Region of Brazil in 2009, we conducted an ecological study of the notified dengue cases georeferenced according to epidemiological week (EW) and home address. Kernel density estimation and space-time interaction were analysed using the Knox method. The evolution of the epidemic was analysed using an animated projection technique. The dengue incidence was 6.918.7/100,000 inhabitants; the peak of the epidemic occurred from 8 February-1 March, EWs 6-9 (828.7/100,000 inhabitants). There were cases throughout the city and was identified space-time interaction. Three epicenters were responsible for spreading the disease in an expansion and relocation diffusion pattern. If the health services could detect in real time the epicenters and apply nimbly control measures, may possibly reduce the magnitude of dengue epidemics.

National Vaccine Coverage Survey 2020: methods and operational aspects.

OBJECTIVE: The national vaccination coverage survey on full vaccination at 12 and 24 months of age was carried out to investigate drops in coverage as of 2016. METHODS: A sample of 37,836 live births from the 2017 or 2018 cohorts living in capital cities, the Federal District, and 12 inner cities with 100 thousand inhabitants were followed for the first 24 months through vaccine record cards. Census tracts stratified according to socioeconomic levels had the same number of children included in each stratum. Coverage for each vaccine, full vaccination at 12 and 24 months and number of doses administered, valid and timely, were calculated. Family, maternal and child factors associated with coverage were surveyed. The reasons for not vaccinating analyzed were: medical contraindications, access difficulties, problems with the program, and vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: Preliminary results showed that less than 1% of children were not vaccinated, full coverage was less than 75% at all capitals and the Federal District, vaccines requiring more than one dose progressively lost coverage, and there were inequalities among socioeconomic strata, favorable to the highest level in some cities and to the lowest in others. CONCLUSION: There was an actual reduction in full vaccination in all capitals and the Federal District for children born in 2017 and 2018, showing a deteriorating implementation of the National Immunization Program from 2017 to 2019. The survey did not measure the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have further reduced vaccination coverage.

Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viral circulation and hospitalization rates in Brazil from 2014 to 2019: An ecological study.

BACKGROUND: In addition to their direct pathogenic effects, arthropod-borne (arboviruses) have been hypothesized to indirectly contribute to hospitalizations and death through decompensation of pre-existing comorbidities. Using nationwide data routinely collected from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019 in Brazil, we investigated whether local increases in arbovirus notifications were associated with excess hospitalization. METHODS: We estimated the relative risks for the association between municipality- and state-level increases in arboviral case notifications and age-standardized hospitalization rates (i.e., classified as direct or indirect based on ICD-10 codes) using Bayesian multilevel models with random effects accounting for temporal and geographic correlations. For municipality-level analyses, we excluded municipalities with <200 notifications of a given arbovirus and further adjusted the models for the local Gini Index, Human Development Index, and Family Healthcare Strategy (Estratégia de Saúde da Família) coverage. Models for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya were performed separately. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2019, Brazil registered 7,566,330 confirmed dengue cases, 159,029 confirmed ZIKV cases, and 433,887 confirmed CHIKV cases. Dengue notifications have an endemic and seasonal pattern, with cases present in 5334 of the 5570 (95.8%) Brazilian municipalities and most (69.5%) registered between February and May. Chikungunya notifications followed a similar seasonal pattern to DENV but with a smaller incidence and were restricted to 4390 (78.8%) municipalities. ZIKV was only notified in 2581 (46.3%) municipalities. Increases in dengue and chikungunya notifications were associated with small increases in age-standardized arbovirus-related hospitalizations, but no consistent association was found with all-cause or other specific indirect causes of hospitalization. Zika was associated to increases in hospitalizations by neurological diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Although we found no clear association between increased incidence of the three arboviruses and excess risks of all-cause or indirect hospitalizations at the municipality- and state-levels, follow-up investigations at the individual-level are warranted to define any potential role of acute arbovirus infection in exacerbating risks of hospitalization from underlying conditions.

Social distancing and living conditions in the pandemic COVID-19 in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil. / Distanciamento social e condições de vida na pandemia COVID-19 em Salvador-Bahia, Brasil.

In the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian states and municipalities have adopted social distancing measures as a strategy to reduce the number of cases and control the disease. These measures affect populations and territories differently. This study aims to analyze the trend of social distancing in this pandemic and its relationship with the context of living conditions in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. An ecological study with spatial distribution was conducted. The municipality's Social Distancing Index and the Living Conditions Index were calculated. Global and Local Moran Indices were employed to assess the degree of spatial dependence and autocorrelation. Fluctuations were observed in the social distancing levels during the analyzed period, with higher distancing percentages in neighborhoods with more favorable living conditions. The analysis and interpretation of COVID-19 containment measures, such as social distancing, should consider the profile of local vulnerability of each territory for the correct dimensioning of pandemic mitigation strategies from the perspective of developing social actions enabling greater adherence of the most impoverished populations.

Congenital syphilis distribution in the State of Tocantins, Brazil, 2007-2015. / Distribuição da sífilis congênita no estado do Tocantins, 2007-2015.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis (CS) in Tocantins, from 2007 to 2015. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC). RESULTS: 1,029 CS cases were reported; mean CS incidence was 4.6/1,000 Live Births (LB), increasing from 3.1/1,000 LB in 2007 to 9.8/1,000 LB in 2015 (increase of 216.1%); municipalities located in the central and northern regions of the state had the highest rates; the majority of mothers of newborn babies were 15-24 years old, had elementary school education, started prenatal care in the third trimester of pregnancy, and received inadequate prenatal care. CONCLUSION: high occurrence of congenital syphilis in Tocantins requires immediate intensification of CS surveillance and improved prenatal care quality, especially in municipalities with higher incidence.

Dynamics of the 2006/2007 dengue outbreak in Brazil.

We analyzed dengue incidence in the period between October 2006-July 2007 of 146 cities around the country were Larval Index Rapid Assay (LIRA) surveillance was carried out in October 2006. Of these, we chosen 61 cities that had 500 or more cases reported during this period. We calculated the incidence coefficient, the force of infection (lambda) and the basic reproduction number (R0) of dengue in those 61 cities and correlated those variables with the LIRA. We concluded that lambda and R0 are more associated with the number of cases than LIRA. In addition, the average R0 for the 2006/2007 dengue season was almost as high as that calculated for the 2001/2002 season, the worst in Brazilian history.

Trend in mortality due to ill-defined causes in the state of Tocantins and in its capital Palmas, Brazil, 1998-2014. / Tendência da mortalidade por causas mal definidas no estado do Tocantins e na sua capital Palmas, 1998-2014.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the time trend of proportional mortality due to ill-defined causes, in Tocantins and Palmas, Brazil, 1998-2014. METHODS: this was a time trend study using data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and the Death Verification Service (SVO); we evaluated the time trend of this type of this mortality using Joinpoint Regression. RESULTS: between 1998 and 2014, proportional mortality from ill-defined causes fell 88.5% in Tocantins and 88.1% in Palmas; the trend test indicated statistically significant inflection points in 1998-2004 (-4.14; p=0.001) for Tocantins and in 1998-2000 (-7.92; p<0.005) for Palmas; a certain degree of stability was observed with effect from 2004. CONCLUSION: there was a significant decline in proportional mortality due to ill-defined causes in Tocantins; however, it is still necessary to intensify actions aimed at improving the quality of information on mortality in some municipalities.

Minha cor não é essa, essa é a cor do remédio: imagem corporal de menores de 15 anos que tiveram hanseníase em Petrolina-PE e Juazeiro-BA / My color is not like this, this is the color of the medicine: body image of individuals under 15 years old who had leprosy in Petrolina, PE and Juazeiro, BA

Este artigo teve por objetivo compreender as repercussões da hanseníase na imagem corporal em menores de 15 anos afetados pela hanseníase. Participaram do estudo quatorze crianças e adolescentes menores de 15 anos que estavam cadastrados no programa de controle da Hanseníase de Petrolina-PE e Juazeiro-BA e que tiveram alta por cura. Utilizou-se a técnica de entrevista semiestruturada, que abrangeu questões norteadoras sobre a vivência da criança e do adolescente com a doença, abordando aspectos familiares, sociais e percepções advindas da experiência. Os dados obtidos foram analisados a partir do interacionismo simbólico e da sociologia de Erving Goffman, levando-se também em consideração leituras mais contemporâneas sobre performatividade. A partir das narrativas produzidas, buscou-se destacar os aspectos da imagem corporal da criança e do adolescente que tiveram hanseníase, organizados em eixos temáticos: imagem corporal, efeitos da hanseníase, racialização da doença e seus desdobramentos. Verifica-se que o elemento predominante da pesquisa ancora-se no corpo adoecido e marcado, imagens presentes em todas as entrevistas. Desse modo, para os participantes adoecidos pela hanseníase, o corpo é tido como "feio", "doente" e "rejeitado", sendo tal imagem corporal associada a repercussão negativa na sua autoimagem.

This article aimed to understand the repercussions of leprosy on body image in individuals under 15 years old affected by leprosy. Fourteen children and adolescents under 15 years old who were registered in the Leprosy Control Program of Petrolina-PE and Juazeiro-BA and who had been discharged as cured participated in the study. A semi-structured interview technique was used, covering guiding questions about the experiences of the child and adolescent with the disease, addressing family, social aspects, and perceptions arising from the experience. The data obtained were analyzed using symbolic interactionism and Erving Goffman's sociology, also taking into consideration more contemporary readings on performativity. Based on the narratives produced, the aspects of body image of children and adolescents with leprosy were highlighted and organized into thematic axes: body image, effects of leprosy, racialization of the disease, and its consequences. It is evident that the predominant element of the research is anchored in the diseased and marked body images present in all interviews. Thus, for participants afflicted by leprosy, the body is perceived as "ugly," "sick," and "rejected," and such body image is associated with a negative impact on their self-image.

Repercussões no cotidiano de crianças e adolescentes que viveram com hanseníase / Effects on the daily lives of children and teenagers who lived with leprosy

RESUMO O estudo apresenta como objetivo compreender as repercussões da doença na vida cotidiana de crianças e adolescentes acometidos pela hanseníase. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa com base no referencial teórico 'A Sociologia de Erving Goffman'. Foram entrevistados, individualmente, 14 participantes, sendo 9 crianças e 5 adolescentes tratados e curados da hanseníase. Utilizou-se entrevista semiestruturada, abrangendo informações sociodemográficas e questões norteadoras sobre a vivência dos participantes com a doença, aspectos familiares, sociais e percepções advindas da experiência. Os dados foram analisados pela sociologia de Erving Goffman. As narrativas enfatizam as repercussões do cotidiano relacionados com a história da descoberta da hanseníase, as redes de interação como família e profissionais de saúde, dos cuidados com a própria saúde, de estratégias de superação e expectativas. Verificou-se que o elemento predominante da pesquisa se ancora no temor de ser descoberto e desacreditado, na perspectiva de ter sua identidade de sadio ressignificada, pelo adoecimento e perante a vivência dos participantes com o preconceito, sigilo e segredo. Conclui-se, de modo simbólico, que os participantes vivenciaram uma construção de vida social negativa em torno da hanseníase. O adoecimento interfere de modo direto no cotidiano e desenvolvimento dos participantes, repercutindo principalmente nas relações sociais.

ABSTRACT The study aims to understand the effects of the disease on the daily lives of children and teenagers affected by leprosy. This was a qualitative research based on the theoretical framework of 'The Sociology of Erving Goffman'. We interviewed 14 participants individually, nine children and five teenagers, who underwent treatment for leprosy and were cured. A semi-structured interview was used, covering sociodemographic information and guiding questions about the participants' experiences with the disease, family, social aspects, and perceptions derived from the experiences. The data were analyzed by the sociology of Erving Goffman. The narratives emphasized the effects on daily life related to leprosy discovery, interaction networks, such as family and health professionals, health care, overcoming strategies and expectations. It was verified that the predominant element of the research is anchored in the fear of being discovered and discredited, in the perspective of having their identity of health resignified, by the illness, and by the evidence in view of the participant's experience due to prejudice, anonymity, and secret. This symbolically suggests that the participants experienced a certain construction of negative social life around leprosy. The illness directly interferes with their daily life and development, especially in the participant's social relationships.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in north-eastern Brazil: a population-based study.

In general, the prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are estimated based on the ambulatory clinic or hospital population. In the present work, a population-based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection in Salvador, Brazil. A total of 1308 serum samples were collected from 30 "sentinel areas", and the prevalence of HCV infection was determined by ELISA and confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay and RT-PCR. The overall prevalence of HCV infection was 1.5% (20/1308). Prevalence was greater among those aged 35 years or older and those with more education. Genotype 3 was the most common (53.3%), followed by genotypes 1 (40%) and 2 (6.7%). These observations are different from those found in a prior survey of hospital and ambulatory patients in Salvador, who were most frequently infected with genotype 1, followed by genotypes 3 and 2, respectively.

Community-based monitoring of diarrhea in urban Brazilian children: incidence and associated pathogens.

Community-based monitoring was conducted in order to investigate the occurrence of diarrhea in 'sentinel areas' of Salvador, Brazil, and to establish a preliminary profile of the most common pathogens present in children's diarrhea by screening stool samples. This report describes the results obtained from twice weekly home visits to identify and follow diarrhea episodes and testing of carer-requested stool sample collection over a 6-month period. Participants were selected from a large longitudinal study in 21 areas representing the city's poorer socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. Fecal samples were examined for the presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa. The mean incidence of diarrhea was 4.97 episodes per child-year, and longitudinal prevalence was 13.6 days per child-year (3.7%). Pathogens were found in 44% of the fecal samples examined. Bacteria were the most frequently encountered pathogens (isolated in 22% of samples), followed by protozoa (19.5%) and viruses (16%). Viral and bacterial pathogens were associated with episodes of severe diarrhea, while viral and protozoan pathogens were associated with longer episodes. The study demonstrated the importance of a public health monitoring system based on 'sentinel areas'.

Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever epidemics in Brazil: what research is needed based on trends, surveillance, and control experiences?

Dengue epidemics account annually for several million cases and deaths worldwide. The high endemic level of dengue fever and its hemorrhagic form correlates to extensive domiciliary infestation by Aedes aegypti and multiple viral serotype human infection. This study analyzed serial case reports registered in Brazil since 1981, describing incidence evolutionary patterns and spatial distribution. Epidemic waves followed the introduction of every serotype (DEN 1 to 3), and reduction in susceptible individuals possibly accounted for decreasing case frequency. An incremental expansion of affected areas and increasing occurrence of dengue fever and its hemorrhagic form with high case fatality were noted in recent years. In contrast, efforts based solely on chemical vector control have been insufficient. Moreover, some evidence demonstrates that educational measures do not permanently modify population habits. Thus, as long as a vaccine is not available, further dengue control depends on potential results from basic interdisciplinary research and intervention evaluation studies, integrating environmental changes, community participation and education, epidemiological and virological surveillance, and strategic technological innovations aimed to stop transmission.

Infestation of Aedes aegypti estimated by oviposition traps in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess infestation levels of Aedes aegypti using the oviposition trap (ovitrap) method and to compare these results with data obtained with the use of indices traditionally applied in public programs aimed at fighting this vector. METHODS: Nine sentinel areas in Northeastern, Brazil, were assessed and infestation levels were measured for a nine-month period. Egg density and container indices were estimated and compared with previous results found using the house index and Breteau index. RESULTS: The results indicated that the area studied was infested with this vector during the entire study period and that the infestation was widespread in all areas. Different results were found with the different indices studied. There were areas in which the house index and the Breteau index were negative or close to zero, whereas the container index for the same area was 11% and the egg density index was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The container and egg density indices allow better assessment of infestation rates in a city than the conventionally used indices (house index and Breteau index). At lower operational costs and easier standardization, these indices can be applied as a measurement tool for assessing infestation rates during entomological surveillance in programs to fight Aedes aegypti.

Generation and Characterization of Murine Monoclonal Antibodies anti-PBP2a of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant bacterium that causes serious infections worldwide. This pathogen is resistant to all beta lactam antibiotics due the presence of PBP2a, a transpeptidase enzyme that presents very low beta-lactam affinity. Here we report the generation and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies to PBP2a of MRSA strains. Two clones were obtained and characterized by immunoassays (ELISA, avidity index determination, and immunoblotting), isotyping, association/dissociation rate constants by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and flow cytometry. Clone 38, which showed the best avidity and affinity, bound to PBP2a located on the bacterial surface by flow cytometry. Further studies are warranted in order to evaluate if these antibodies may help inhibit bacterial growth and be used to treat infections by MRSA.

Risk factors for hospital admission of Brazilian children with non-rotavirus diarrhoea: a case control-study.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus has been the leading cause of severe cases of acute diarrhoea (AD) among children worldwide; however, in the same areas, a large reduction in AD related to rotavirus has been observed after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine. In Brazil, where there is a high rotavirus vaccine coverage, AD caused by pathogens other than rotavirus is still a frequent cause of outpatient visits and hospitalisations among children under 5 years. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study enrolled children aged 4 to 24 months admitted to 10 hospitals from all five Brazilian Regions. Cases (n=1178) were children admitted with diarrhoea who tested negative for rotavirus in a stool sample. Controls (n=2515) were children admitted without diarrhoea, frequency matched to cases by sex and age group. We estimated odds ratios using logistic regression, in a hierarchical approach according to a previously defined conceptual framework. Population-attributable fractions (PAF) were estimated for each variable, each block and for all significant variables in the latter model adjusted. RESULTS: The factors studied accounted for 41% of the non-rotavirus AD hospital admissions and the main risk factors included lack of adequate excreta disposal (PAF=12%), untreated drinking water (PAF=11%) and a history of previous hospitalization due to AD (PAF=21%). Low socio-economic conditions, no public water supply, crowding and low weight-for-age made smaller contributions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings further our knowledge of risk factors associated with severe AD in the post-rotavirus vaccination era. We recommend further increase in coverage of basic sanitation, improvements in water quality and further expansion of primary healthcare coverage to reduce the occurrence of non-rotavirus severe diarrhoea and subsequent hospitalization of Brazilian children.

Distribuição da sífilis congênita no estado do Tocantins, 2007-2015 / Distribución de la sífilis congénita en el estado de Tocantins, Brasil, 2007-2015 / Congenital syphilis distribution in the State of Tocantins, Brazil, 2007-2015

Objetivo: descrever o perfil epidemiológico da sífilis congênita no estado do Tocantins, Brasil, de 2007 a 2015. Métodos: estudo transversal descritivo, realizado com dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) e do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (Sinasc). Resultados: foram notificados 1.029 casos da doença; a incidência média foi de 4,6 casos por 1 mil nascidos vivos (NV), com aumento de 3,1/1 mil NV em 2007 para a 9,8/1 mil NV em 2015 (aumento de 216,1%); municípios localizados no centro e no norte do estado apresentaram maiores taxas; a maioria das mães dos recém-nascidos tinha 15-24 anos de idade, ensino fundamental, iniciou o pré-natal no 3º trimestre de gestação e recebeu assistência pré-natal inadequada. Conclusão: a elevada ocorrência da sífilis congênita no Tocantins demanda imediata intensificação da vigilância da doença e melhoria da qualidade do acompanhamento pré-natal, especialmente nos municípios com maior incidência.

Objetivo: describir el perfil epidemiológico de la sífilis congénita (SC) en Tocantins, de 2007 a 2015. Métodos: estudio transversal descriptivo, con datos del Sistema Nacional de Agravamientos de Información (Sinan) y del Sistema de Informaciones sobre Nacidos Vivos (Sinasc). Resultados: se notificaron 1.029 casos de SC; la incidencia promedio fue de 4,6/1000 nacidos vivos (NV), con aumento variando de 3,1/1000 NV en 2007 a 9,8/1000 NV en 2015 (aumento del 216,1%); los municipios ubicados en el centro y norte del estado presentaron mayores tasas; la mayoría de las madres tenía entre 15-24 años, enseñanza primaria, iniciaron el prenatal en el 3º trimestre de gestación y la asistencia prenatal recibida fue inadecuada. Conclusión: la situación epidemiológica de la sífilis congénita en Tocantins es muy preocupante y demanda la inmediata intensificación de esfuerzos, principalmente en lo que se refiere a mejorar la calidad del prenatal, especialmente en los municipios con mayor incidencia de la enfermedad.

Objective: to describe the epidemiological profile of congenital syphilis (CS) in Tocantins, from 2007 to 2015. Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted with data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC). Results: 1,029 CS cases were reported; mean CS incidence was 4.6/1,000 Live Births (LB), increasing from 3.1/1,000 LB in 2007 to 9.8/1,000 LB in 2015 (increase of 216.1%); municipalities located in the central and northern regions of the state had the highest rates; the majority of mothers of newborn babies were 15-24 years old, had elementary school education, started prenatal care in the third trimester of pregnancy, and received inadequate prenatal care. Conclusion: high occurrence of congenital syphilis in Tocantins requires immediate intensification of CS surveillance and improved prenatal care quality, especially in municipalities with higher incidence.

Distanciamento social e condições de vida na pandemia COVID-19 em Salvador-Bahia, Brasil / Social distancing and living conditions in the pandemic COVID-19 in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil

Resumo Na pandemia COVID-19, estados e municípios brasileiros adotaram medidas de distanciamento social como estratégia para reduzir o número de casos e o controle da doença. Estas medidas atingem de forma diferenciada estratos populacionais e território. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a evolução do distanciamento social adotadas para o controle da pandemia COVID-19 e sua relação com as condições de vida da população do município de Salvador, Bahia. Foi conduzido um estudo ecológico utilizando agregados espaciais. Calculou-se o Índice de Isolamento Social do município e o Índice de Condição de Vida. O Índice de Moran Global e Local foram usados para avaliar o grau de dependência e autocorrelação espacial. Observou-se oscilações nos índices de isolamento social durante o período analisado, com maiores percentuais de isolamento nos bairros com condições de vida mais favoráveis. A análise e a interpretação das medidas de contenção da Covid-19, a exemplo do distanciamento social, deve considerar o perfil de vulnerabilidade de cada território visando a monitorar o correto dimensionamento das estratégias de mitigação da pandemia, na perspectiva de desenvolver ações sociais capazes de possibilitar maior adesão das populações mais desfavorecidas.

Abstract In the current scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian states and municipalities have adopted social distancing measures as a strategy to reduce the number of cases and control the disease. These measures affect populations and territories differently. This study aims to analyze the trend of social distancing in this pandemic and its relationship with the context of living conditions in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. An ecological study with spatial distribution was conducted. The municipality's Social Distancing Index and the Living Conditions Index were calculated. Global and Local Moran Indices were employed to assess the degree of spatial dependence and autocorrelation. Fluctuations were observed in the social distancing levels during the analyzed period, with higher distancing percentages in neighborhoods with more favorable living conditions. The analysis and interpretation of COVID-19 containment measures, such as social distancing, should consider the profile of local vulnerability of each territory for the correct dimensioning of pandemic mitigation strategies from the perspective of developing social actions enabling greater adherence of the most impoverished populations.

[Mortality due to infectious and parasitic diseases in Salvador, Bahia: evolution and intra-urban differences according to living conditions]. / Mortalidade por doenças infecciosas e parasitárias em Salvador--Bahia: evolução e diferenciais intra-urbanos segundo condições de vida.

The evolution of mortality due to infectious and parasitic diseases (IPD) and its intra-urban distribution in Salvador (Bahia) during the 1990's was analyzed in a study of time series and spatial aggregation. This data was obtained from DATASUS and from death certificates. Proportional mortality, mortality rate and standardized mortality ratio (SMR) were used for the temporal analysis. Mortality rates due to IPD stratified by a living conditions index (LCI) were analyzed in the spatial study. Between 1991 and 1995, the proportional mortality for IPD was 8.3% and the risk of dying varied between 55.9 and 34.0/100,000 inhabitants. After 1995 the variation was between 52.8 and 41.1/100,000 inhabitants. The standardized mortality ratio for infectious and parasitic diseases in 1998 was 1.3. Infectious intestinal diseases continue to be one of the principal causes of death in this group. The highest rates of mortality from IPD were concentrated in the areas of the city where the living conditions were poor. Despite the observed decline, there is still an excessive mortality rate from IPD in Salvador. The developmental model of the Country and re-emergence of some diseases could be contributing towards this pattern.

[Infant mortality in Brazil during recent periods of economic crisis]. / Mortalidade infantil no Brasil em períodos recentes de crise econômica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze time trends in infant mortality in Brazil during a recent period of economic crisis (1980-1998). METHODS: Time-series study based on the Ministry of Health's Mortality Information System, IBGE Foundation and Funda o Nacional de Sa de (National Health Institute database. Serial parameters were described using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, and the association between infant mortality rates and a number of determinants was evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Infant mortality showed a declining trend (-59.3%) and a strong correlation with most of the indicators analyzed. However, only correlations between infant mortality rate and total pregnancy and birth rates presented a significant difference between the two decades. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in pregnancy rate were the main cause for the persistent decline in infant mortality in the 1980's. In the subsequent period, causes related to living conditions, especially healthcare, may have been more important.