MORBIDITY, MORTALITY AND HOSPITAL INDICATORS OF HIV/AIDS IN ALAGOAS AND BRAZIL: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND COST STUDY, 2020-2024

Abstract

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids) remains a significant challenge to Brazilian public health. In Alagoas, indicators point to persistent epidemiological vulnerability, requiring monitoring of detection trends and the financial impacts on the healthcare system. To analyze epidemiological and hospital indicators of HIV/Aids in Alagoas within the Brazilian context between 2020 and 2024. A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using secondary data from DATASUS (SIM, SINAN, SIH/SUS), IBGE, and Ministry of Health Epidemiological Bulletins. Detection, prevalence, mortality, and case-fatality rates were calculated. Data and calculation memory were made available in a public repository (Open Science Framework). The national weighted average detection rate was 18.40/100,000 inhabitants, a value similar to that of Alagoas (18.4/100,000 inhab.), which exceeded the Northeast regional average (17.23/100,000 inhab.). Alagoas presented the third-highest regional prevalence (34.06/100,000 inhab.). The case-fatality rate reached 18.21% in 2024, with a peak of 19.02% in 2023. In the hospital setting, there was a 56.5% increase in the average cost per admission in the state, reaching R$ 2,990.79 in 2024, with a total cost of R$ 6.48 million over the five-year period. The results reveal a paradox in Alagoas: despite intermediate detection rates, high case-fatality and rising hospital costs suggest failures in early diagnosis and treatment retention. Strengthening Primary Health Care is imperative to reduce missed opportunities for care and the impact of morbidity and mortality.