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Título

IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE NOTIFICATIONS OF TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS IN MARANHÃO, BRAZIL

Introdução

Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is a non-contagious infectious dermatosis that occurs widely in tropical countries. In Brazil, it is a disease of compulsory notification, and every confirmed case must be investigated by health services. By 2020, with the impact of the pandemic of COVID-19, the diagnosis of other diseases may have decreased.

Objetivo(s)

This work aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on TL notifications in Maranhão and its Health Regions (HR).

Material e Métodos

This is an ecological study of confirmed cases of TL in the period from January 2015 to December 2020. To calculate the number of expected cases of TL, the period from 2015 to 2019 was considered. The data were obtained from the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). The P-score metric was used to evaluate the possible under-registrations of TL.

Resultados e Conclusão

In the period from 2015 to 2020, 7886 new cases of TL were registered. For the year 2020 1346 cases were expected, however only 1158 were notified, which represents a decrease of 13.94 %. The HR São Luís (P-score --69.63%), HR São João dos Patos (P-score -54.02%), HR Presidente Dutra ((P-score -45.95%) present the largest drops in possible new cases expected. The challenges in the diagnosis and follow-up of TL cases seems to have intensified in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Maranhão, which potentiates the evolution to deformities and disabilities, besides reinforcing its status as a neglected disease.

Palavras-chave

Epidemiology; Cutaneous Leishmaniasis; Coronavirus.

Área

Eixo 06 | Protozooses