SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES CAUSED BY PROTOZOA IN THE STATE OF PARÁ (2018-2022)

Abstract

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are diseases that have plagued generations around the world for centuries and are characterized by being endemic to regions with low socioeconomic development, such as countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and mainly in the Americas, with a focus on the Americas. Central and Southern. Furthermore, they have a high degree of morbidity, but relatively low mortality. The diagnosis of these diseases is complex, and the treatment has many flaws and lack of effectiveness, causing negative impacts on public health and often leading to abandonment of treatment. The objective of this work is to discuss the sociodemographic aspects of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis in the State of Pará. The study was carried out using data on the sociodemographic variables of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis, with data available in the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) and TABNET/ DATASUS. According to the data collected, from 2018 to 2022, 1,280 cases of acute Chagas disease were reported, and in the same period 15,292 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were confirmed. As for visceral leishmaniasis, 1,495 cases were reported. A prevalence was found in the age range of 20 to 39 years in both cases of Chagas disease and cutaneous leishmaniasis, differentiating only cases of visceral leishmaniasis, in which the most significant age range was 1 to 4 years. Regarding sex and ethnicity, it was distributed that the prevalence is male individuals of mixed race. In relation to the municipalities with the highest number of cases for acute Chagas disease, the leader was the municipality of Ananindeua, for cutaneous leishmaniasis the municipality of Santarém, and for visceral leishmaniasis the municipality of Parauapebas. It is concluded that the epidemiological profile is common for the three diseases, apart from the variable range, in the State of Pará, and newborns and children are part of the risk group for visceral leishmaniasis. Therefore, it is essential that public health bodies mitigate surveillance and epidemiological control actions on these aforementioned groups and develop new combat and prevention techniques, in addition to promoting education to the population of Pará based on scientific knowledge about these diseases.