SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND TEMPORAL TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE VISITS FOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODES IN SOUTHERN AGRESTE, PERNAMBUCO: INTERSECTIONS BETWEEN TERRITORY, HEALTH, AND WIND FARM PROJECTS

Abstract

This study analyzed the spatial distribution and temporal trends of outpatient visits for depressive episodes (CID-10 F32) in the Southern Agreste region of Pernambuco from 2015 to 2024, in municipalities experiencing wind energy expansion. A quantitative ecological study was conducted using data from the SIA/SUS (TABNET Pernambuco), comparing municipalities with wind energy projects (case group) and those without such projects or other types of projects (control group). The analysis included sociodemographic characterization and the use of statistical methods employing the Joinpoint and Stata software packages to assess temporal trends, as well as spatial distribution by five-year periods. During the study period, n=1,437 (62.3%) consultations were recorded in the case group and n=868 (37.7%) in the control group. There was a predominance of cases among women, people aged 20 to 39, and those who self-identified as mixed-race. The temporal analysis revealed a linear, upward trend in cases in both groups. Spatially, a concentration of cases was observed in the municipality of Paranatama (PE) in both five-year periods. The data showed a progressive and heterogeneous increase in depressive episodes over the historical series, with a steeper slope in the annual mean number of visits (+7.71—95% CI: 5.22 to 11.56; p=0.0047) and greater geographic coverage in municipalities exposed to wind energy projects.