EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE AND TEMPORAL TREND OF ACUTE CHAGAS DISEASE IN THE STATE OF TOCANTINS, BRAZIL, 2008–2024

Abstract

Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, considered a major public health problem in Latin America and classified by the World Health Organization as a neglected disease (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2023). This article aimed to discuss and analyze the epidemiological profile and temporal trend of confirmed cases of acute Chagas disease in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, from 2007 to 2024. This is a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical observational epidemiological study with a quantitative approach, conducted using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants, case fatality rates, and temporal trend analysis were calculated. During the analyzed period, 40 confirmed cases were registered, with an estimated cumulative incidence of 2.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A higher frequency was observed in females (60%), however, the two deaths occurred in males, resulting in an overall case fatality rate of 5% and a male-specific case fatality rate of 12.5%. It is concluded that acute Chagas disease remains a public health problem in Tocantins.