Sociodemographic aspects, time series and high-risk clusters of malaria in the extra-Amazon region of Brazil: a 22-year study

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 57
• Main Authors: Ramos, Rosália Elen Santos, Reis, Erica Santos dos, Bezerra, Leticia Pereira, Lima, Maria Wilma da Silva, Feitosa, Ana Paula Sampaio, Alves, Luiz Carlos, Santos, Israel Gomes de Amorim, Brayner, Fábio André
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2024; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Epidemiology; Neglected Disease; Plasmodium spp; Public Health; Spatial analysis; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Spatial analysis; Public Health; Neglected Disease; Epidemiology; Plasmodium spp
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0564-2023

Malaria is an acute febrile parasitic disease that significantly impacts global public health. In Brazil, the most studied endemic area for the disease is the Amazon region. This study aims to analyze temporal, spatial, and spatiotemporal patterns of malaria in the extra-Amazon region of Brazil over a 22-year period.BACKGROUNDMalaria is an acute febrile parasitic disease that significantly impacts global public health. In Brazil, the most studied endemic area for the disease is the Amazon region. This study aims to analyze temporal, spatial, and spatiotemporal patterns of malaria in the extra-Amazon region of Brazil over a 22-year period.We conducted a time-series study from 2001 to 2022, encompassing both autochthonous and imported cases. Time trend analysis was employed to assess fluctuations in incidence rates over the years. Spatial clusters of infection risk were identified using the Local Moran Index and Kulldorff's scan.METHODSWe conducted a time-series study from 2001 to 2022, encompassing both autochthonous and imported cases. Time trend analysis was employed to assess fluctuations in incidence rates over the years. Spatial clusters of infection risk were identified using the Local Moran Index and Kulldorff's scan.A total of 18,633 malaria cases were identified in the extra-Amazon region, including 1,980 autochthonous, 13,836 imported, and 2,817 of unknown origin. During the first period (2001-2011), 1,348 autochthonous and 9,124 imported cases were reported. In the second period (2012-2022), there were 632 autochthonous and 4,712 imported cases. The state of Espírito Santo exhibited a decreasing trend but maintained the highest incidence rates throughout the study. The number of municipalities at high risk for autochthonous cases declined, with Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Piauí having the most municipalities with high rates. For imported cases, the federative units with the highest numbers in both periods were Ceará, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Piauí, and Paraná.RESULTSA total of 18,633 malaria cases were identified in the extra-Amazon region, including 1,980 autochthonous, 13,836 imported, and 2,817 of unknown origin. During the first period (2001-2011), 1,348 autochthonous and 9,124 imported cases were reported. In the second period (2012-2022), there were 632 autochthonous and 4,712 imported cases. The state of Espírito Santo exhibited a decreasing trend but maintained the highest incidence rates throughout the study. The number of municipalities at high risk for autochthonous cases declined, with Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Piauí having the most municipalities with high rates. For imported cases, the federative units with the highest numbers in both periods were Ceará, Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Piauí, and Paraná.The data reveal the areas most affected by malaria and thus of highest priority for implementing control strategies.CONCLUSIONSThe data reveal the areas most affected by malaria and thus of highest priority for implementing control strategies.