José Luiz Portugal

A socioenvironmental composite index as a tool for identifying urban areas at risk of lymphatic filariasis.

Objective  To describe the spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis and its relationship with the socioenvironmental risk indicator, thus identifying priority localities for interventions in endemic urban areas.

Spatial analysis and privation index to identify urban areas with a high risk of lymphatic filariasis

Objective  To evaluate composite living conditions as indicators of urban areas with a higher risk of filariasis transmission.

Análise espacial da mortalidade infantil e adequação das informações vitais: uma proposta para definição de áreas prioritárias

This is an ecological study that sought to assess the relationship between the spatial clustering of infant mortality and the adequacy of vital information. The adequacy of information from the Brazilian Live Birth Database (SINASC) and Mortality Database (SIM) were examined using a validated method that uses five indicators calculated by municipality and population size. Municipalities were classified as either having consolidated data, data currently being consolidated, or not having consolidated data. Voronoi polygons were generated for spatial analysis in order to minimize any proximity issues among municipalities. The local Moran index was applied to identify spatial clustering of infant mortality. It was established that 76.2% of all municipalities had consolidated vital data. Infant mortality clustering was seen in 34 municipalities comprising three spatial clusters. An association was also found between the adequacy of vital information and the spatial clustering of infant mortality. Geostatistical techniques proved to have predictive power to identify spatial clustering with consolidated vital information. The approach will contribute to the improvement of data quality and can be used for planning actions seeking to reduce infant mortality.

Using kernel density estimates to investigate lymphatic filariasis in northeast Brazil

Abstract After more than 10 years of the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) in Brazil, advances have been seen, but the endemic disease persists as a public health problem. The aim of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis in the municipality of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco, Brazil. An epidemiological survey was conducted in the municipality, and positive filariasis cases identified in this survey were georeferenced in point form, using the GPS. A kernel intensity estimator was applied to identify clusters with greater intensity of cases. We examined 23 673 individuals and 323 individuals with microfilaremia were identified, representing a mean prevalence rate of 1·4%. Around 88% of the districts surveyed presented cases of filarial infection, with prevalences of 0–5·6%. The male population was more affected by the infection, with 63·8% of the cases (P<0·005). Positive cases were found in all age groups examined. The kernel intensity estimator identified the areas of greatest intensity and least intensity of filarial infection cases. The case distribution was heterogeneous across the municipality. The kernel estimator identified spatial clusters of cases, thus indicating locations with greater intensity of transmission. The main advantage of this type of analysis lies in its ability to rapidly and easily show areas with the highest concentration of cases, thereby contributing towards planning, monitoring, and surveillance of filariasis elimination actions. Incorporation of geoprocessing and spatial analysis techniques constitutes an important tool for use within the GPELF.

Spatial analysis of reported new cases and local risk of leprosy in hyper-endemic situation in Northeastern Brazil

To analyse the spatial distribution of the incidence of leprosy and identify areas at risk for occurrences of hyper‐endemic disease in Northeastern Brazil.