ANALYSIS OF SOCIOECONOMIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ABANDONMENT OF TREATMENT FOR TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS IN THE NORTHERN REGION

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and social aspects that may be related to abandonment of treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis (TL) in the Northern Region of Brazil. For this, information from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) between 2012 and 2022 was used. The information was organized in Excel spreadsheets to analyze proportions and create figures. The results show that, in the period from 2012 to 2022, 84,165 new cases of TL were registered in the Northern Region of Brazil, of which 3,367 were characterized as treatment abandonment. Pará had the highest number of cases, followed by Amazonas. Treatment abandonment was more prevalent among men (81%) and in the 20-39 age group. The State of Amapá had the highest dropout rates, while Pará occupied second place. It is concluded that Pará leads in the number of TL cases, but Amapá has the highest dropout rates. The profile of patients who abandon treatment is predominantly male, aged between 20-39 years old and with incomplete primary education. The study highlights the need for interventions aimed at this specific group to improve the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.