Spatial analysis of the occurrence of visceral leishmaniosis in the state of Tocantins, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil and other four countries account for 90% of the cases of visceral leishmaniosis, which is a serious disease that causes death if untreated This study aimed to identify spatial patterns of visceral leishmaniosis distribution in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, from 2008 to 2011. It is an ecological and exploratory study that performed analysis by municipality using data obtained from Datasus. The global Moran indices were estimated and thematic maps of the rates per 100 000 inhabitants were constructed, Moran and Kernel map. There were 1778 georeferenced cases of visceral leishmaniosis representing a rate of 31.75 cases / 100 000 inhabitants and the rate ranged between 0.00 and 343.16 per 100,000 population with the micro-Araguaína, in the northern state, the most affected. Moran's index was Im = 0.20 (p <0.01). It was found that the micro-regions most in need of intervention are the Araguaína and Parrot's Beak, which showed an increased density of cases reported by place of residence, as well as neighboring municipalities of Juarina in the micro-region of Miracema do Tocantins.