Socio-geographical factors and vulnerability to leptospirosis in South Brazil

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Fábio Raphael P. Bruhn¹  Alessandra Jacomelli Teles²  Suellen Caroline M. Silva³  Bianca Conrad Bohm³ 

[1] Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão Do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil;Municipal Health Department of Herval, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil;Postgraduate Program in Veterinary, Federal University of Pelotas, Capão Do Leão, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil;

关键词: Health vulnerability;    Epidemiology;    SINAN;    Public health surveillance;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-023-16094-9

 received in 2022-07-21, accepted in 2023-06-09,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLeptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, is an acute infectious disease that is mainly transmitted by exposure to contaminated soil or water, thereby presenting a wide range of subsequent clinical conditions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of cases and deaths from leptospirosis and its association with social vulnerability in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between 2010 and 2019.MethodsThe lethality rates and incidence of leptospirosis and their association with gender, age, education, and skin color were analyzed using chi-square tests. The spatial relationship between the environmental determinants, social vulnerability, and the incidence rate of leptospirosis in the different municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul was analyzed through spatial regression analysis.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 4,760 cases of leptospirosis, along with 238 deaths, were confirmed. The mean incidence rate was 4.06 cases/100,000 inhabitants, while the mean fatality rate was 5%. Although the entire population was susceptible, white-colored individuals, males, people of the working-age group, along with less-educated individuals, were more affected by the disease. Lethality was higher in people with dark skin, and the prime risk factor associated with death was the direct contact of the patients with rodents, sewage, and garbage. The social vulnerability was positively associated with the incidence of leptospirosis in the Rio Grande do Sul, especially in municipalities located in the center of the state.ConclusionsIt is evident that the incidence of the disease is significantly related to the vulnerability of the population. The use of the health vulnerability index showed great relevance in the evaluation of leptospirosis cases and can be used further as a tool to help municipalities identify disease-prone areas for intervention and resource allocation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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