Epidemiology of COVID-19 Among Indigenous Populations in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Due to social and geographical isolation, indigenous people are more vulnerable to adverse conditions; however, there is a lack of data on the epidemics' impact on these populations. Thus, this article's objective was to describe the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in indigenous communities in Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive observational study was carried out in indigenous communities in the municipality of Amaturá (Amazonas, Brazil). Individuals from the Alto Rio Solimões Special Indigenous Sanitary District (DSEI) who met the Sars-Cov-2 infection case definitions during the period between January and August 2020 were included. For case notification, the definitions adopted by the Ministry of Health of Brazil and by the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health were considered. RESULTS: Out of the entire population served by the Alto Rio Solimões DSEI (n = 2890), 109 indigenous people were suspected of having been infected with Sars-Cov-R during the study period; a total of 89 cases were actually confirmed (rate: 3.08 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Most patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were female (56.2%), with a mean age of 32.4 (± 23.6) years. Predominant symptoms were fever (76.4%), dry cough (64%), and headache (60.7%). Complications occurred in 7.9% of the patients; no deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: These results enhance the observation that indigenous populations, even if relatively isolated, are exposed to COVID-19. The disease cases assessed showed a favorable evolution, which does not mean reducing the need for caring of this population.

Sexually transmitted infections in indigenous communities of the Alto Rio Solimões / Infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em comunidades indígenas do Alto Rio Solimões

Introduction: The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among indigenous communities is an appalling issue related to Brazilian public health, as there is an increasing underreporting and neglect related to the study and care of these people. Objective: To determine the prevalence of STI in the indigenous population of the Alto Rio Solimões. Methods: STI diagnostic records from the database of the Indigenous Health Care Information System - SIASI, of the indigenous communities of the Alto Rio Solimões, belonging to the Nova Itália base, in Amazonas, were evaluated during the period from January 2010 to August 2020. Sociodemographic data were also evaluated to determine the profile of the diagnosed indigenous population and the geographical and temporal distribution of cases. Results: The overall prevalence rate of STIs was 3.91% (113 notifications of STI in the population of 2890 indigenous people). The largest number of diagnosed cases was in Nova Itália (60.17%). The ethnic group with the highest number of cases was Tikuna (92.03%). Among the STI studied, gonorrhea / chlamydia had the highest prevalence (68.14%), followed by Hepatitis B (13.27%) and Syphilis (10.61%). Most cases were found among women (71.7%), aged 30­34 years. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of STIs was observed in indigenous women, mainly from the Nova Itália town and the Tikuna ethnic group.

Introdução: A prevalência das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) entre comunidades indígenas é um tema consternador relacionado à saúde pública brasileira, pois há crescente subnotificação e negligência relacionada ao estudo e ao cuidado desses povos. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de IST na população indígena do Alto Rio Solimões. Métodos: Foram avaliados os registros diagnósticos de IST da base de dados do Sistema de Informação da Atenção à Saúde Indígena (SIASI), das comunidades indígenas do Alto Rio Solimões, pertencentes ao polo-base de Nova Itália, no Amazonas, durante o período de janeiro de 2010 a agosto de 2020. Também foram avaliados dados sociodemográficos para determinação do perfil da população indígena diagnosticada e a distribuição geográfica e temporal dos casos. Resultados: A taxa de prevalência geral de IST foi de 3,91% (113 notificações de IST na população de 2.890 indígenas). O maior número de casos diagnosticados foi em Nova Itália (60,17%). A etnia com maiores números de casos foi a Tikuna (92,03%). Entre as IST estudadas, gonorreia/clamídia tiveram a maior prevalência (68,14%), seguidas por hepatite B (13,27%) e sífilis (10,61%). A maioria dos casos ocorreu entre mulheres (71,7%) e na faixa de 30­34 anos. Conclusão: Observou-se maior prevalência de IST em mulheres indígenas, principalmente do município de Nova Itália e da etnia Tikuna