Scabies in the Philippines: A secondary analysis of local patient registries

Background@#Scabies is the second most common cause of disability among skin diseases in the Philippines as of 2019. There is no large nationwide study describing the epidemiologic profile of scabies in the country. Objective. This study aimed to describe the demographic, seasonal, and geographic profile of scabies in the Philippines.@*Methods@# We compared secondary data of two local patient registries (Philippine Dermatological Society, PDS, 2010 to 2021; and Philippine Pediatric Society, PPS, 2009 to 2021) for reported cases of scabies in the Philippines. We reported the frequency and percentage distribution according to age, sex, month, year, and type of diagnosis, and region. @*Results@#The median annual frequency of scabies cases (mostly outpatient) for PDS (from year 2010) was 4087 (range ([QR], 342-6422 [3271.5]), while it was 183 (range [IQR], 64-234 [96.5]) (all inpatient) for PPS (from year 2009). There was a reduction to one-third (PDS) and one-fourth (PPS) of pre-pandemic numbers during the pandemic years (2020- 2021). The peak months for scabies cases were the cooler months: January (median, 12.1% of annual cases; range [IQR], 2.6%-31.4% [3.6%]) to February (median, 10.0% of annual cases; range [IQR], 1.5%-27.8% [2.5%]) based on PDS data, and November (median, 10.0% of annual cases; range [IQR], 0.0%-24.3% [7.0%]) to January (median, 9.0% of annual cases; range [IQR], 0.0%-24.3% [6.6%]) for PPS data. Overall, for PDS, age 1-4 years is the most affected age group (median, PDS, 17.5% of annual cases; range [IQR], 11.9%-25.4% [8.1%]), while it was the less than 1-yearolds (median annual cases, 48.9%; range [IQR], 29.1%-67.3% [13.20%]) among PPS pediatric population aged 0 to 18 years. Males (median, 53.9% of annual cases; range [IQR], 45.0%-67.2% [8.8%]) were more affected than females in PPS. While for PDS during earlier years (prior to 2015), males (median, 51.6% of annual cases from 2010 to 2014; range [IQR], 47.4%-52.9% [0.2%]) were more affected than females. However, males became less affected than females with median, 44.7% of annual cases from 2015 onwards (range [IQR], 43.4%-46.5% [1.2%]). NCR was the region with the highest frequency of cases in PPS (median, 52.6% of annual cases; range [IQR], 22.7%-75.0% [20.4%]). The 2nd most affected regions were Central/Eastern Visayas (34.2%, 2009-2013; range [IQR], 17.9%-54.1% [5.3%]), Bicol region (12%; 2014 to 2018; range [IQR], 17.9%-54.1% [7.4%]), Central Luzon (18%; 2019), Central/Eastern Visayas (29%, 2020), and Northern/Central Mindanao (17%, 2021). @*Conclusion@#Scabies was commonly seen in the younger age group, slightly more in females in the PDS, while slightly more among males in the PPS, in the cooler months of the year, and in the urbanized NCR.

Modelagem GAMLSS espaçotemporal da incidência de esquistossomose na região central do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Modelado espaciotemporal GAMLSS para la incidencia de esquistosomiasis en la región central del estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil / Spatio-temporal GAMLSS modeling of the incidence of schistosomiasis in the central region of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Resumo: No Brasil, milhões de pessoas vivem em áreas de risco para a esquistossomose, uma doença negligenciada, de caráter crônico e com elevada morbidade. O helminto Schistosoma mansoni está presente em todas as macrorregiões, incluindo o Estado de Minas Gerais, um dos mais endêmicos. Por essa razão, a identificação de potenciais focos é fundamental para subsidiar políticas públicas de cunho educativo e profilático no controle desse desfecho. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do trabalho consiste em modelar dados de esquistossomose em relação aos aspectos espaciais e temporais, além de avaliar a importância de algumas variáveis exógenas socioeconômicas e a presença das principais espécies de Biomphalaria. Como trabalhar com casos incidentes, uma variável discreta de contagem, exige uma modelagem apropriada, foi escolhida a modelagem GAMLSS por considerar conjuntamente uma distribuição mais adequada à variável resposta devido à inflação de zeros e à heterocedasticidade espacial. Verificaram-se valores elevados de incidência em diversos municípios de 2010 a 2012 e uma tendência de queda até 2020. Também foi identificado que a distribuição da incidência se comporta de maneira diferente no espaço e no tempo. Municípios com barragem apresentaram risco 2,25 vezes maior do que os que não a continham. A presença de B. glabrata foi relacionada ao risco de ocorrência da doença. Por outro lado, a presença de B. straminea refletiu em menor risco de ocorrência da esquistossomose. Conclui-se que o controle e o acompanhamento dos caramujos da B. glabrata podem ser fundamentais para a contenção e a eliminação da esquistossomose e o modelo GAMLSS foi eficaz para tratamento e modelagem de dados espaçotemporais.

Resumen: En Brasil, millones de personas viven en áreas de riesgo de esquistosomiasis, una enfermedad crónica desatendida y con alta morbilidad. El helminto Schistosoma mansoni está presente en todas las macrorregiones, incluido el Estado de Minas Gerais, uno de los más endémicos del país. Por ello, la identificación de potenciales brotes es fundamental para promover políticas públicas de carácter educativo y profiláctico en el control de este desenlace. En este contexto, el objetivo de este trabajo es modelar datos sobre esquistosomiasis con respecto a aspectos espaciotemporales, además de evaluar la importancia de algunas variables socioeconómicas exógenas y la presencia de las principales especies de Biomphalaria. Dado que en el trabajo con casos incidentes una variable de conteo discreta requiere un adecuado modelado, se eligió el modelo GAMLSS, ya que en conjunto considera una distribución más adecuada para la variable de respuesta debido a la inflación de ceros y la heterocedasticidad espacial. Se encontraron valores de alta incidencia en varios municipios en el periodo evaluado de 2010 a 2012 y una tendencia a descenso hasta 2020. También se verificó que existe una distribución de incidencia de manera diferente en el espacio y el tiempo. Los municipios con represas presentaban 2,25 veces más riesgo que los que no las tenían. La presencia de B. glabrata estuvo relacionada con el riesgo de la enfermedad. Por otro lado, la presencia de B. straminea ocasionaba un menor riesgo de padecer la enfermedad. Se concluye que el control y seguimiento de caracoles B. glabrata puede ser fundamental para el control y eliminación de la esquistosomiasis y que el modelo GAMLSS resultó ser efectivo para el tratamiento y modelado de datos espaciotemporales.

Abstract: In Brazil, millions of people live in areas with risk of schistosomiasis, a neglected chronic disease with high morbidity. The Schistosoma mansoni helminth is present in all macroregions of Brazil, including the State of Minas Gerais, one of the most endemic states. For this reason, the identification of potential foci is essential to support educational and prophylactic public policies to control this disease. This study aims to model schistosomiasis data based on spatial and temporal aspects and assess the importance of some exogenous socioeconomic variables and the presence of the main Biomphalaria species. Considering that, when working with incident cases, a discrete count variable requires an appropriate modeling, the GAMLSS modeling was chosen since it jointly considers a more appropriate distribution for the response variable due to zero inflation and spatial heteroscedasticity. Several municipalities presented high incidence values from 2010 to 2012, and a downward trend was observed until 2020. We also noticed that the distribution of incidence behaves differently in space and time. Municipalities with dams presented risk 2.25 times higher than municipalities without dams. The presence of B. glabrata was associated with the risk of schistosomiasis. On the other hand, the presence of B. straminea represented a lower risk of the disease. Thus, the control and monitoring of B. glabrata snails is essential to control and eliminate schistosomiasis; and the GAMLSS model was effective in the treatment and modeling of spatio-temporal data.

Media Reporting of Suicide in the Bengaluru E-Edition of Three Major Indian Dailies: An Archival Study

India has the world’s largest newspaper market, with over 100 million copies sold daily. The media scapegoat, simplify, speculate, and sensationalize suicide?related news instead of signposting people to seek help. Suicide affects individuals, families, and communities and is worthy of responsible reporting. This study examined the quality of newspaper coverage of suicides from January to December 2017 in three popular English dailies in Bengaluru, South India. Three hundred and ninety?five online suicide reports were evaluated for compliance with the 2017 WHO recommendations for responsible suicide reporting by media professionals. The secondary data were obtained from digital newspaper archives and analyzed. Ahandful of the sampled articles met key recommendations. While reporting on suicide in the Indian media, three critical areas that require the most attention are reducing sensationalism, providing help-seeking information, and educating the public on suicide prevention without perpetuating myths.

Cobertura vacinal em crianças até 1 ano de idade no estado do Rio de Janeiro entre 2008 a 2020 / Vaccination coverage in children up to 1 year in the state of Rio de Janeiro from 2008 to 2020

O Programa Nacional de Imunizações (PNI) observa um declínio na cobertura vacinal (CV), que pode representar um risco para o retorno de doenças consideradas controladas. Objetivou-se avaliar a tendência temporal e a variação espacial das CV em crianças nos municípios do estado do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ) entre 2008 a 2020. Tratou-se de um estudo ecológico misto em que são analisadas as taxas de CV em cada município do ERJ. Utilizou-se dados secundários de doses aplicadas dos imunobiológicos das vacinas tríplice bacteriana (DTP) e tríplice viral (SCR) contidos no Sistema de Informação do Programa Nacional de Imunizações (SI-PNI) e dados de nascidos vivos do Sistema de Informação de Nascidos Vivos (SINASC). A CV foi calculada por antígeno para os 92 municípios e para as 9 regiões de saúde do ERJ. O município do RJ foi analisado separadamente. A análise da tendência temporal das CV foi realizada utilizando o programa Join Point Regression e a mudança percentual anual (APC). Para a análise descritiva foram construídos mapas temáticos com o software QGIS adotando cinco estratos de CV: <70%; 70-80%; 80-90%; 90-95% e 95% ou mais. As CV foram suavizadas através do estimador Bayes empírico global. Para avaliar as correlações espaciais, calculou-se o Índice Local de Associação Espacial (LISA). Foram elaborados 39 mapas de CV suavizados e 39 mapas com o indicador LISA, um para cada ano e para cada vacina de interesse. Os cálculos foram realizados por intermédio do software TerraView. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Os resultados demonstraram que para a primeira dose (D1) da DTP, entre os anos 2008 e 2014, as regiões do Médio Paraíba, Metropolitana I, II e o município do RJ não alcançam a meta de CV de 95%, em 2010; entre 2008 a 2010, o município do RJ não alcança a meta de CV. Entre os anos de 2015 e 2020, observamos redução da CV da D1 da DTP nas regiões da Baía de Ilha grande e Norte, iniciadas desde 2017. Para a terceira dose (D3) da DTP houve maior número de CV abaixo de 95% entre 2008 e 2014 em relação à D1. Entre os anos de 2015 a 2020, destaca-se a região Metropolitana I que, não alcança a meta de CV de 95% e a partir de 2016 têm redução progressiva das CV até 2020, chegando a apresentar CV de 30,45% nesse ano. Para a D1 da SCR entre os anos 2008 e 2014, Centro-Sul e Serrana alcançam as metas de CV em todos os anos. Em 2019, Baixada litorânea, Noroeste e Norte não alcançam a meta, as demais regiões mantêm altas CV nesse ano. Em 2020, nenhuma região alcança a meta de CV e Metropolitana I e II têm as menores CV. A análise da tendência mostrou que para D1 da DTP o ERJ apresentou tendência de queda da CV a partir de 2017 (APC: -14,25); para SCR, apresentou crescimento até 2018 (APC: 1,8) e redução da CV a partir de 2018 (APC: -16,56). Os mapas do LISA mostram a presença de clusters de alta CV para a D1 da DTP em 2008, 2013 e 2018 e baixa CV em 2014; de alta CV para a D3 da DTP em 2008 e 2016 e alta CV para SCR em 2016 e 2018. A distribuição da CV demonstra padrões distintos entre as regiões de saúde e interiormente nos municípios ao longo dos anos. A análise temporal e espacial é uma ferramenta útil para a localização de áreas geográficas com bolsões de baixa ou alta CV, visando identificar áreas de maior vulnerabilidade.

The National Immunization Program (PNI) observes a decline in vaccination coverage (CV), which may represent a risk for the return of diseases considered controlled. The objective was to evaluate the temporal trend and the spatial variation of CV in children in the municipalities of the state of Rio de Janeiro (ERJ) between 2008 and 2020. It was a mixed ecological study in which CV rates in each municipality are analyzed of the ERJ. Secondary data of applied doses of immunobiologicals of the triple bacterial (DTP) and triple viral (SCR) vaccines contained in the National Immunization Program Information System (SI-PNI) and live birth data from the Live Birth Information System were used. (SINASC). The CV was calculated by antigen for the 92 municipalities and for the 9 health regions of the ERJ. The municipality of RJ was analyzed separately. The analysis of the temporal trend of the CV was performed using the Join Point Regression program and the annual percentage change (APC). For the descriptive analysis, thematic maps were built with the QGIS software, adopting five CV strata: <70%; 70-80%; 80-90%; 90-95% and 95% or more. The CVs were smoothed using the global empirical Bayes estimator. To assess spatial correlations, the Local Spatial Association Index (LISA) was calculated. 39 smoothed CV maps and 39 maps with the LISA indicator were prepared, one for each year and for each vaccine of interest. The calculations were performed using the TerraView software. The significance level was 5%. The results showed that for the first dose (D1) of DTP, between 2008 and 2014, the regions of Médio Paraíba, Metropolitan I, II and the municipality of RJ did not reach the CV goal of 95% in 2010; between 2008 and 2010, the municipality of RJ did not reach the CV goal. Between 2015 and 2020, we observed a reduction in the CV of D1 of DTP in the regions of Ilha Grande and Norte Bay, which started since 2017. For the third dose (D3) of DTP, there was a greater number of CV below 95% between 2008 and 2014 in relation to D1. Between 2015 and 2020, the Metropolitan Region I stands out, which does not reach the CV goal of 95% and from 2016 onwards has a progressive reduction in CV until 2020, reaching a CV of 30.45% that year. For SCR's D1 between 2008 and 2014, Centro-Sul and Serrana achieve their CV goals every year. In 2019, Baixada Litorânea, Northwest and North did not reach the goal, the other regions maintain high CV this year. In 2020, no region achieves the CV target and Metropolitan I and II have the lowest CV. The trend analysis showed that for D1 of the DTP, the ERJ showed a downward trend in VC from 2017 onwards (APC: -14.25); for SCR, it showed growth until 2018 (APC: 1.8) and a reduction in CV from 2018 (APC: -16.56). The LISA maps show the presence of clusters of high CV for DTP D1 in 2008, 2013 and 2018 and low CV in 2014; of high VC for D3 of DTP in 2008 and 2016 and high VC for SCR in 2016 and 2018. The distribution of CV shows distinct patterns between health regions and within municipalities over the years. Temporal and spatial analysis is a useful tool for locating geographic areas with pockets of low or high CV, in order to identify areas of greater vulnerability.

Evaluating substance use in an urbanizing town of mid hills of Northern India

Background: Substance use is emerging as a major cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Solan, a fast urbanizing town of India has witnessed mushrooming of industries and educational institutes. A surge in the persons booked under the Narcotic Drug and Psychoactive Substance Act 1985 led us to look into the determinants of the substance use in this region.Methods: We undertook a cross sectional study of one year secondary data analysis of 750 substance users screened at the de-addiction centre of Solan Hospital. The data mining was done by the cluster analysis technique. SPSS 16 and STATA 13 software were employed.Results: Mean age of users was 31 years with dominance of males (89.20 %), two third of total users were married, 75% were unemployed, 42% had upper school level education. About 60 and 38% were using cannabis and chitta (a synthetic opioid) respectively. Only 2% were consuming tobacco and alcohol. 62% of substance users had the fear of legal action and 44% had no family history of substance use. 39% had only single parent, 54% had started substance use under peer pressure and duration of use varied between 6 to 24 months.  Alcohol and cannabis were used more in urban and rural areas respectively. 63 and 70% had family history and experience of peer pressure respectively.Conclusions: Cluster analysis has generated substance specific socio-demographic determinants of substance use which would help in planning appropriate substance use alleviation strategies.

Road Traffic Injuries in Tamil Nadu: A Growing Public Health Issue

Background: Every year about 5 million people die worldwide due to Injuries, Road traffic Injuries are a neglected public health problem. In the state of Tamil Nadu, India the total number of road accidents has been on a constant rise. Objective: This study aims to provide a description of the reported road traffic accidents in Tamil Nadu based on location, injury rates and fatality rates. Methods: Secondary data on Road traffic accidents was collected from state and national reports published on various authentic sources. Cluster analysis was carried. Result: Two-wheelers accounted for the highest share in total road accidents, Males were found to have higher risk than females. The districts with high injury rates were Villupuram, Ariyalur, Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, Kanchipuram and Nagapatinam. If the current circumstances continue, we predicted that, by the year 2023 the total number of accidents will be approximately 75985 in Tamilnadu. Conclusion: The Tamil Nadu Governments efforts to stop and reverse the increasing trend in the number of road traffic accidents, deaths, injuries through adoption of comprehensive measures covering Engineering, Education, Emergency care and Enforcement is seeing its results, but there is a need for more effective implementation across the state.

Ocorrência de brucelose e tuberculose bovinas no Rio Grande do Sul com base em dados secundários / Occurrence of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on secondary data

Avaliaram-se os resultados de testes para diagnóstico da brucelose e tuberculose bovinas objetivando analisar a distribuição de positividade e características de performance do programa de controle. A análise utilizou como dados secundários todos os resultados de testes para diagnóstico realizados em bovinos no ano de 2008 no estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS) por médicos veterinários habilitados para atuação no âmbito do Programa Nacional de Controle e Erradicação de Brucelose e Tuberculose Animal. Os dados foram estatisticamente ajustados para minimizar os efeitos de valores extremos e de dados faltantes. Os testes alcançaram 66,80% dos 497 municípios do RS e incluíram a participação de 165 médicos veterinários habilitados. 40,21% dos testes foram realizados nos meses de abril, setembro e outubro, sendo que em 73,90% dos estabelecimentos foram realizados testes para ambas as enfermidades. No caso da brucelose verificou-se que foram testados 35.289 animais, com uma frequência de positivos de 0,25%, enquanto a frequência de estabelecimentos positivos entre os 3.406 testados foi 0,94%. Fêmeas apresentaram frequência de positividade mais elevada (0,29%, de 26.724 testadas) do que machos (0,13%, de 5.235 testados). Animais entre 48-60 meses de idade apresentaram chance de positividade superior às demais faixas etárias (Razão de Chances (RC) =2,63; IC 95%=1,63-4,26). Animais de aptidão leiteira representaram 62,66% dos animais testados, e apresentaram maior chance de positividade do que animais de corte (RC=2,32; IC 95%=1,38-3,90). Adicionalmente, 73,74% dos estabelecimentos testados eram dedicados à produção de leite. Já no caso da tuberculose foram testados 62.149 animais distribuídos em 5.151 propriedades, com frequência de positivos de 0,87% e 3,13%, respectivamente. A chance de positividade aumentou com a idade, sendo que animais com idade acima de 48 meses de idades apresentaram valores superiores aqueles verificados em animais mais jovens (RC=2,07; IC 95%=1,73-2,48). 59,74% dos animais testados eram de aptidão leiteira, os quais apresentaram mais chance de serem positivos do que aqueles de corte (RC=5,03; IC 95%=4,09-6,94). Propriedades leiteiras representaram 78,50% da totalidade dos testes para tuberculose. A análise comparativa do presente trabalho com estudos precedentes de prevalência da brucelose sugere que as ações de controle em curso têm sido efetivas na redução da prevalência da enfermidade no RS. Por outro lado, as informações obtidas no âmbito da tuberculose podem ser indicadoras da condição desta enfermidade, especialmente pela inexistência de estudos de prevalência realizados há menos de 30 anos. Adicionalmente, conclui-se que a utilização de dados secundários, desde que devidamente ajustados, pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz na gestão de programas de saúde animal e em sistemas de monitoramento e vigilância.(AU)

Results of tests for the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis were evaluated aiming to analyze the distribution of positivity and characteristics of performance of the control program. The analysis used as secondary data the results of all diagnostic tests of bovines executed in 2008 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) by veterinarians authorized to operate under the National Program for Control and Eradication of Animal Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. The data were statistically adjusted to minimize the effect of outliers and missing data. The tests achieved 66.80% of the 497 municipalities in the RS and included the participation of 165 authorized veterinarians. 40.21% of tests were carried out in the months of April, September and October, and in 73.90% of establishments had tests performed for both diseases. In the case of brucellosis it appeared that 35,289 animals were tested, with positivity of 0.25%, while the frequency of positive holdings among the 3,406 tested was 0.94%. Females had higher positivity rate (0.29% of 26,724 tested) than males (0.13% of 5,235 tested). Animals between 48-60 months of age presented higher chance of positivity compared to other age groups (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.63; CI 95% = 1.63 - 4.26). Dairy cattle represented 62.66% of tested animals, which were more likely to appear as positive than beef animals (OR = 2.32; CI 95% = 1.38 - 3.90). In addition, 73.74% of the tested holdings were dairy ones. In the case of tuberculosis, 62,149 animals were tested, distributed in 5,151 holdings, with positivity of 0.87% and 3.13%, respectively. The chance of positivity increased with age, being that animals older than 48 months presented higher values compared to ​​those found in younger animals (OR = 2.07; CI 95% = 1.73 - 2.48). Dairy cattle represented 59.74% of tested animals, which were more likely to be positive than beef ones (OR = 5.03; CI 95% = 4.09 - 6.94). Dairy holdings were 78.50% of all the tests for tuberculosis. The comparative analysis of this study with previous studies on brucellosis prevalence suggested that current control measures have been effective in reducing the prevalence of this disease in RS. On the other hand, information obtained on tuberculosis can be indicators of the condition of this disease, especially in the lack of prevalence studies carried out in the last 30 years. Finally, it is concluded that the use of secondary data, if properly adjusted, can be an effective tool in the management of animal health programs and monitoring and surveillance systems.(AU)

Complete Blood Count Reference Intervals and Patterns of Changes Across Pediatric, Adult, and Geriatric Ages in Korea

BACKGROUND: Sampling a healthy reference population to generate reference intervals (RIs) for complete blood count (CBC) parameters is not common for pediatric and geriatric ages. We established age- and sex-specific RIs for CBC parameters across pediatric, adult, and geriatric ages using secondary data, evaluating patterns of changes in CBC parameters. METHODS: The reference population comprised 804,623 health examinees (66,611 aged 3–17 years; 564,280 aged 18–59 years; 173,732 aged 60–99 years), and, we excluded 22,766 examinees after outlier testing. The CBC parameters (red blood cell [RBC], white blood cell [WBC], and platelet parameters) from 781,857 examinees were studied. We determined statistically significant partitions of age and sex, and calculated RIs according to the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines. RESULTS: RBC parameters increased with age until adulthood and decreased with age in males, but increased before puberty and then decreased with age in females. WBC and platelet counts were the highest in early childhood and decreased with age. Sex differences in each age group were noted: WBC count was higher in males than in females during adulthood, but platelet count was higher in females than in males from puberty onwards (P < 0.001). Neutrophil count was the lowest in early childhood and increased with age. Lymphocyte count decreased with age after peaking in early childhood. Eosinophil count was the highest in childhood and higher in males than in females. Monocyte count was higher in males than in females (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We provide comprehensive age- and sex-specific RIs for CBC parameters, which show dynamic changes with both age and sex.

Spatio Temporal Analysis of Sex Ratio and its Impact on Socio – Economic Condition in Mysore city of India.

The sex composition of Population in terms of ratio sex ratio is on index of the socio–Economic Conditions prevailing in an area useful tool far regional analysis unquestionably the classification of population according to sex generally influences the from tempro of life in any community. The balance between the two sexes is on important aspect of population statures Economic and socio relationships are closely related of balance or disparity between numbers of males and females. This study is exclusively based on the secondary data collected from different sources and census reports of mysore city main objective of this paper is to understand the ward wise distribution of sex ratio. Impact of distribution pattern on socio – Economic demographic and cultural factors of the region and sex ratio all helps in Geographical analysis in Mysore city

Fatores relacionados à ocorrência de leishmaniose tegumentar no Vale do Ribeira / Factors relating to occurrences of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Ribeira Valley

INTRODUÇÃO: este estudo teve como objetivo identificar fatores ambientais e sociais determinantes na incidência da leishmaniose tegumentar americana no Vale do Ribeira no período de 1998 a 2006. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados dados secundários de domínio público dos 23 municípios que integram a região. O intervalo de tempo foi dividido em três períodos, pelas características gráficas dos coeficientes de incidência, os quais foram submetidos à análise por regressão linear múltipla. RESULTADOS: para o período de 1998 a 2000, as variáveis correlacionadas com a LTA foram índice de desenvolvimento humano médio (p = 0,007), renda per capita (p =0,390) e grau de urbanização (p = 0,079). No período de 2001 a 2003 e 2004 a 2006 as variáveis correlacionadas com LTA foram: a existência de flebotomíneos (p = 0,000 e p = 0,001) e a população urbana média (p = 0,007 e p = 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: esses dados demonstram a tendência de pauperização e urbanização da doença.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the environmental and social factors that determined occurrences of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Ribeira valley region of the State of São Paulo between 1998 and 2006. METHODS: Secondary public-domain data from the 23 municipalities forming this region were used. The study period was divided into three ranges based on the graphical characteristics of the incidence coefficients. These data were subjected to analysis using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Over the period 1998 to 2000, the variables correlated with American cutaneous leishmaniasis were mean human development index (p = 0.007), per capita income (p = 0.390) and degree of urbanization (p = 0.079). Over the periods 2001 to 2003 and 2004 to 2006, the variables correlated with American cutaneous leishmaniasis were the presence of sandflies (p = 0.000; p = 0.001) and mean urban population (p = 0.007; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data show the trend towards urbanization and impoverishment of the disease.

Tuberculosis and AIDS co-morbidity in Brazil: linkage of the tuberculosis and AIDS databases

This study evaluated differences in AIDS patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) in Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Standard regional AIDS (SINAN, SISCEL, SICLOM and SIM) and tuberculosis (SINAN) databases were used. TB and AIDS databases were linked using Reclink software, version 3, with SPSS software support to identify co-infected cases. Data from July 2000 to June 2006 in Espírito Santo State were linked. The results showed 3,523 adult AIDS cases and 9,958 adult TB cases resulted in 430 co-infected patients, who were compared to 1,290 AIDS patients who never developed TB. Among 430 co-infected patients, TB was diagnosed first in 223 (51.9 percent), AIDS was first in 44 (10.2 percent), and AIDS and TB were diagnosed concurrently in 163 (37.9 percent). Median age did not differ between co-infected cases (36 years (interquartile range [IQR] 29-43) and non-co-infected cases (34 years; IQR 28-42). Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed in 239 (55.6 percent); 109 (25.3 percent) had extra-pulmonary TB and 82 (19.1 percent) had both presentations. In the final logistic regression model, living in a metropolitan area [Odds Ratio (OR)=1.43 (95 percent Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05-1.95)], education < 3 years [OR=3.03 (95 percentCI 1.56-5.88)] and CD4 counts < 200/mm³ [OR=1.14 (95 percentCI 1.09-1.18)] were associated with co-infection. This report emphasizes the significance of tuberculosis among AIDS cases in Brazil, and highlights the importance of evaluating secondary data for purposes of improving data quality and developing public health interventions.

HIV testing during pregnancy: use of secondary data to estimate 2006 test coverage and orevalence in Brazil

This paper describes a methodological proposal based on secondary data and the main results of the HIV-Sentinel Study among childbearing women, carried out in Brazil during 2006. A probabilistic sample of childbearing women was selected in two stages. In the first stage, 150 health establishments were selected, stratified by municipality size (<50,000; 50,000-399,999; 400,000+). In the second stage, 100-120 women were selected systematically. Data collection was based on HIV-test results registered in pre-natal cards and in hospital records. The analysis focused on coverage of HIV-testing during pregnancy and HIV prevalence rate. Logistic regression models were used to test inequalities in HIV-testing coverage during pregnancy by macro-region of residence, municipality size, race, educational level and age group. The study included 16,158 women. Results were consistent with previous studies based on primary data collection. Among the women receiving pre-natal care with HIV-test results registered in their pre-natal cards, HIV prevalence was 0.41 percent. Coverage of HIV-testing during pregnancy was 62.3 percent in the country as a whole, but ranged from 40.6 percent in the Northeast to 85.8 percent in the South. Significant differences according to race, educational level and municipality size were also found. The proposed methodology is low-cost, easy to apply, and permits identification of problems in routine service provision, in addition to monitoring compliance with Ministry of Health recommendations for pre-natal care.