Occurrence and sociodemographic behavior of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Vicência, Pernambuco, in the period from 2007 to 2014

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that is among the top five endemic infectious and parasitic diseases of major relevance. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency, the demographic, and epidemiological profile of the patients with tegumentary leishmaniasis Americana and accompanying measures of control. Method: It is a retrospective and quantitative study. It was verified that 59.4% of affected patients were male, 33.5% were younger than 12 years, 83.1% were brown and 79.3% studied until the elementary school. It was observed that the most diagnostic of American cutaneous leishmaniasis were given only by relying on epidemiological clinical judgment, whereas parasitologic and immunologic tests were rarely used for diagnosis. The largest outbreak of the disease was concentrated in the areas of family health unit (USF) the Imbu, corresponding to 79.3% of the cases. Regarding control measures, it was observed that 69.2% of professionals knew about leishmaniasis, 84.6% of family health units did not develop action programs and strategies, 76.9% of professionals did not participate in educational activities in the community, but there is disclosure to the public about the occurrence of American cutaneous leishmaniasis cases (69.2%). Despite the high frequency of LTA in the city, the USFs were not active in that concern the control measures relating to the problem and did not participate in health education programs.