Trends of leprosy detection rates in a state of the Brazilian Northern Region

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the trend of leprosy detection rates in the 13 Regional Health Centers (RHC) of Pará State, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Ecological exploratory study including new leprosy cases recorded in the Notifiable Diseases Information System from 2000 to 2019 within cities grouped by RHC in Pará. Variables included age, year of diagnosis, and city of residence. The classification of hyperendemicity followed parameters established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

RESULTS:

During the analyzed period, 98,342 new leprosy cases were notified. Of these, 87,425 (88.9%) met the inclusion criteria, with an annual average of 4,371 (± 1,201) cases. Of all the notified cases, 10.57% (9,240) occurred in individuals under 15 years old. Hyperendemicity persisted in the general population in the 5th, 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th RHC from 2000 to 2019. The same centers exhibited hyperendemicity in individuals under 15 years old, except for the 5th RHC.

CONCLUSION:

The heterogeneity of endemicity levels throughout the historical series and in different territories suggests that the analysis of an infectious disease in vast geographical areas with cultural diversities and social vulnerability should be particularized by specific territories. This approach helps identify populations contributing to the maintenance of elevated endemicity levels.