Dados do Trabalho

Título

Epidemiological indicators of Chagas disease in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Introdução

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by triatomines. Historical records indicate that T. cruzi has been circulating in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador since the 20th century. Salvador’s Health Surveillance System indicates the presence of triatomines in urban areas, but there is not much information about this vector in other municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Salvador.

Objetivo(s)

This study was to investigate Chagas disease in Metropolitan Region of Salvador, considering epidemiological indicators to inform health managers about the importance of entomological surveillance.

Material e Métodos

Cross-sectional, descriptive study, conducted through secondary data. Data analyzed were from 2008 to 2015: deaths due to Chagas disease; self-reported cases of Chagas disease registered; and blood donors registered as non-negative for T. cruzi infection.

Resultados e Conclusão

São Francisco do Conde remained one of the municipalities with the highest mortality rate due to Chagas disease. Candeias was the municipality with one of the highest prevalences and considering the total number of blood donors. Seroprevalence varied by year and municipality, with the highest values: 2008 Vera Cruz, 2009 Mata de São João, 2010 Dias D'Ávila, 2011 and 2015 São Francisco do Conde, 2012 São Sebastião do Passé, 2013 and 2014 Pojuca. We did not detect spatial self-relationships between municipalities. We conclude that Chagas disease is present in the municipalities of Metropolitan Region of Salvador. Given the importance of the entomological indicator for the surveillance and control of Chagas disease at the state and national levels, it is important to strengthen the vector surveillance program of Chagas disease at the municipal level, including in regions classified as low risk for vector transmission of T. cruzi.

Palavras-chave

1. Trypanosoma cruzi; 2. Public health; 3. Epidemiological surveillance.