EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIOSIS IN CEARÁ BETWEEN 2011 AND 2018

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of calazar in the state of Ceará between 2011 and 2018. Methods: Retrospective and quantitative study, which had as data source notification forms of the National System of Notifiable Diseases of patients with calazar registered in Ceará. Results: During the study period, 7.894 cases of calazar were reported in Ceará. Fortaleza and Sobral were the municipalities with the highest number of cases, with males being the most affected. In addition, 46.63% of the cases used laboratory tests as a diagnosis. Regarding age, adults accounted for 46.5% of the cases, and children accounted for 31.39%. On the socio-educational conditions of the patients, the majority had incomplete elementary school and held occupations as a student and housewife. In the evolution of the patients, the cure rate was 71.2% and the death rate due to calazar was 3.6%, the other 7.7% correspond to transference and death from other causes. Among patients with VL, 9.79% had HIV co-infection. Conclusions: According to our results, calazar is a disease still very prevalent in the state of Ceará, with Fortaleza having the highest number of notifications. However, there is still a great underreporting of cases.