MAGNITUDE AND SEVERITY OF COVID-19 AMONG NURSING PROFESSIONALS IN BRAZIL

Objetivo: avaliar a tendência, magnitude e severidade da COVID-19 em profissionais de enfermagem segundo os estados brasileiros e macrorregiões.Métodos: estudo ecológico de séries temporais e abordagem espacial. Foram levantados os casos e óbitos, no período de 20/03/2020 a 31/05/2020, disponibilizados pelo Observatório de Enfermagem do Conselho Federal de Enfermagem.Resultados: foram notificados 6149 casos e 138 óbitos de COVID-19 entre profissionais de enfermagem; observou-se tendência de crescimento progressivo de casos e mortes em todas as macrorregiões. Foi identificado um aglomerado de alto risco para ocorrência da doença entre profissionais no Amazonas, e um para mortalidade nos estados do Pará e Amapá.Conclusão: o estudo evidenciou tendências crescentes e áreas de risco por COVID-19, observandose perfil diferenciado entre as regiões, o que se deve às medidas adotadas nas instituições para proteção dos seus trabalhadores. Objective: to evaluate the trend, magnitude and severity of COVID-19 in Nursing professionals according to the Brazilian states and macro-regions.Methods: an ecological study of time series and with a spatial approach. Cases and deaths were surveyed from 03/20/2020 to 05/31/2020, made available by the Nursing Observatory of the Federal Nursing Council.Results: a total of 6,149 cases and 138 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported amongNursing professionals; a trend of progressive growth of cases and deaths was observed in all macro-regions. A high risk cluster for the occurrence of the disease was identified among professionals in the Amazonas, and another for mortality in the states of Pará and Amapá.Conclusion: the study showed growing trends and areas of risk by COVID-19, observing a different profile across the regions, which is due to the measures adopted in the institutions to protect their Nursing workers.Objetivo: evaluar la tendencia, magnitud y gravedad del COVID-19 en profesionales de Enfermería de acuerdo con los estados y las macro-regiones de Brasil.Métodos: estudio ecológico de series temporales y con enfoque espacial. Se relevaron los casos y los fallecimientos durante el período del 20/03/2020 al 31/05/2020, puestos a disposición por el Observatorio de Enfermería del Consejo Federal de Enfermería.Resultados: se notificaron 6149 casos y 138 fallecimientos por COVID-19 entre profesionales de Enfermería; se observó una tendencia de aumento progresivo de casos y fallecimientos en todas las macro-regiones. Se identificó una región de concentración de alto riesgo de incidencia de la enfermedad entre los profesionales en el Amazonas, así como también de mortalidad en los estados de Pará y Amapá. Conclusión: el estudio puso en evidencia tendencias de aumento y áreas de riesgo por COVID-19, observándose un perfil diferenciado entre las regiones, lo que se debe a las medidas adoptadas en las instituciones para proteger a sus trabajadores de Enfermería

Identifying Hotspots of People Diagnosed of Tuberculosis with Addiction to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs through a Geospatial Intelligence Application in Communities from Southern Brazil

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.(1) Background: tuberculosis (TB) is considered one of the leading causes of death world-wide by a single infectious agent. This study aimed to identify hotspots of people diagnosed with tuberculosis and abusive use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in communities through a geospa-tial intelligence application; (2) Methods: an ecological study with a spatio-temporal approach. We considered tuberculosis cases diagnosed and registered in the Notifiable Diseases Information System, which presented information on alcoholism, smoking, and drug abuse. Spatial Variations in Temporal Trends (SVTT) and scan statistics were applied for the identification of Hotspots; (3) Results: between the study period, about 29,499 cases of tuberculosis were reported. When we applied the SVTT for alcoholism, three Hotspots were detected, one of which was protective (RR: 0.08–CI95%: 0.02–0.32) and two at risk (RR: 1.42–CI95%: 1.11–1.73; RR: 1.39–CI95%: 1.28–1.50). Regarding smoking, two risk clusters were identified (RR: 1.15–CI95%: 1.01–1.30; RR: 1.68–CI95%: 1.54–1.83). For other drugs, a risk cluster was found (RR: 1.13–CI95%: 0.99–1.29) and two protections (RR: 0.70–CI95%: 0.63–0.77; RR: 0.76–CI95%: 0.65–0.89); (4) Conclusion: it was evidenced that in the communities being studied, there exists a problem of TB with drug addiction. The disordered use of these substances may harm a person’s brain and behavior and lead to an inability to continue their treatment, putting the community at further risk for TB.publishersversionpublishe

Impacto do teste rápido molecular GeneXpert® MTB/RIF na detecção da tuberculose: tendências temporais e territórios vulneráveis

Objetivo: evaluar el impacto de la prueba rápida molecular GeneXpert® MTB/RIF en la detección de tuberculosis, analizar la tendencia temporal del evento e identificar territorios vulnerables en un municipio brasileño. Método: estudio ecológico realizado en Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil, municipio considerado prioritario en el control de la tuberculosis por el elevado número de casos. Se utilizó el método de Prais-Winsten para clasificar la tendencia temporal y la técnica de Series de Tiempo Interrumpidas para identificar cambios en la incidencia de la enfermedad. Se aplicó un análisis de intensidad de Kernel para identificar áreas vulnerables. Resultados: la tendencia temporal de la tuberculosis disminuyó un 18,1%/año y un 6,9%/año en los menores de 15 años. La incidencia de tuberculosis disminuyó un 6,67%/año en el Distrito Norte y aumentó un 17,5%/año en el Distrito Este. La tuberculosis resistente, después de la implementación de la Prueba Molecular Rápida, aumentó un 0,6% anual. Los Distritos Sur y Oeste presentaron una mayor densidad de casos, con un rango de 45 a 79 casos de tuberculosis por kilómetros cuadrados (km2). Conclusión: aunque la tuberculosis resistente no representa un problema en el escenario, el estudio mostró un aumento en la incidencia, lo que genera una señal de alerta. El uso del análisis espacial permitió identificar áreas prioritarias, para que puedan llevarse a cabo acciones de vigilancia en salud.Objective: to assess the impact of the GeneXpert® MTB/RIF rapid molecular test on tuberculosis detection, to analyze the temporal trend of the event and to identify vulnerable territories in a Brazilian municipality. Method: an ecological study carried out in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, a municipality considered a priority in tuberculosis control due to the high number of cases. To classify the temporal trend, the Prais-Winsten method and the Interrupted Time Series were used to identify changes in the disease incidence. Kernel intensity analysis was applied to identify vulnerable areas. Results: the temporal trend of tuberculosis decreased by 18.1%/year and by 6.9%/year for children under 15 years old. The North District decreased by 6.67%/year and the East District increased by 17.5%/year in the incidence of tuberculosis. Resistant tuberculosis, after the implementation of the Rapid Molecular Test, increased by 0.6% per year. The South and West Districts showed a higher density of cases, with a range from 45 to 79 tuberculosis cases per square kilometer (km2). Conclusion: although resistant tuberculosis is not a problem in the scenario, the study showed an increase in its incidence, which puts it on alert. The use of spatial analysis enabled the identification of priority areas, putting them in evidence for health surveillance actions.Objetivo: avaliar o impacto do teste rápido molecular GeneXpert® MTB/RIF na detecção da tuberculose, analisar a tendência temporal do evento e identificar territórios vulneráveis em município brasileiro. Método: estudo ecológico realizado em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil, município considerado prioritário no controle da tuberculose devido ao elevado número de casos. Para classificar a tendência temporal foi utilizado o método de Prais-Winsten e a Série Temporal Interrompida para identificar mudanças na incidência da doença. Aplicou-se a análise de intensidade de Kernel para a identificação de áreas vulneráveis. Resultados: a tendência temporal da tuberculose apresentou decréscimo de 18,1%/ano e de 6,9%/ano em menores de 15 anos. O Distrito Norte apresentou decréscimo de 6,67%/ano e o Distrito Leste crescimento de 17,5%/ano, na incidência de tuberculose. A tuberculose resistente, após a implementação do teste rápido molecular, apresentou aumento de 0,6% por ano. Os Distritos Sul e Oeste apresentaram maior densidade de casos, com variação de 45 a 79 casos de tuberculose por quilômetro quadrado (km2). Conclusão: apesar da tuberculose resistente não ser um problema no cenário, o estudo evidenciou um crescimento na sua incidência, o que o coloca em estado de alerta. O uso da análise espacial possibilitou a identificação das áreas prioritárias, colocando-as em evidência para ações de vigilância em saúde

Impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Indicators in Brazil: A Time Series and Spatial Analysis Study

We aimed to visualize and classify the time series of COVID-19, tuberculosis (TB) notification, and TB outcomes (cure, treatment abandonment, and death), verify the impact of the new coronavirus pandemic on these indices in Brazil, and verify the presence of spatial autocorrelation between COVID-19 and TB. Methods: This was an ecological time series study that considered TB and COVID-19 cases. Seasonal Trend Decomposition using Loess (STL) was used to trace the temporal trend, Prais–Winsten was used to classify the temporal trend, Interrupted Time Series (ITS) was used to verify the impact of COVID-19 on TB rates, and the Bivariate Moran Index (Global and Local) was used to verify the spatial autocorrelation of events. Results: Brazil and its macro-regions showed an increasing temporal trend for the notification of TB in the prepandemic period. Only the Northeast Region showed a decreasing temporal trend for cured cases. For treatment abandonment, all regions except for the Northeast showed an increasing temporal trend, and regarding death, Brazil and the Northeast Region showed an increasing temporal trend. With the ITS, COVID-19 caused a decline in TB notification rates and TB outcome rates. With the global spatial analysis, it was possible to identify the existence of spatial autocorrelation between the notification rate of COVID-19 and the TB notification rate and deaths. With the local analysis, it was possible to map the Brazilian municipalities and classify them according to the relationship between the rates of both diseases and space. Conclusions: COVID-19 influenced the follow-up of and adherence to TB treatment and intensified social vulnerability and, consequently, affected the notification of TB since the relationship between the disease and social determinants of health is already known. The restoration and strengthening of essential services for the prevention and detection of cases and treatment of TB in endemic environments such as Brazil have been oriented as a priority in the global health agenda

Effectiveness and trend forecasting of tuberculosis diagnosis after the introduction of GeneXpert in a city in south-eastern Brazil

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid molecular test for the detection of tuberculosis (TB) and to predict the rates of disease in a municipality of Brazil where TB is endemic. Methods: An ecological study was carried out in Ribeirão Preto-SP on a population of TB cases notified between 2006 and 2017. Monthly TB incidence rates and the average monthly percentage change (AMPC) were calculated. In order to identify changes in the series, the breakpoint technique was performed; the rates were modelled and predictions of the incidence of TB until 2025 were made. Results: AMPC showed a fall of 0.69% per month in TB and human immunodeficiency virus (TB-HIV) co-infection, a fall of 0.01% per month in general and lung TB and a fall of 0.33% per month in extrapulmonary TB. With the breakpoint technique, general and pulmonary TB changed in structure in late 2007, and extrapulmonary TB and TB-HIV co-infection changed in structure after 2014, which is considered the cut-off point. The IMA(3) models were adjusted for general and pulmonary TB and TB-HIV co-infection, and the AR(5) models for extrapulmonary TB, and predictions were performed. Conclusions: The rapid molecular test for TB is the method currently recommended by the WHO for the diagnosis of the disease and its main advantage is to provide faster, more accurate results and to already check for drug resistance. It is necessary that professionals encourage the use of this technology in order to optimize the diagnosis so that the treatment begins as quickly as possible and in an effective way. Only by uniting professionals from all areas with health policies aimed at early case identification and rapid treatment initiation it is possible to break the chain of TB transmission so that its rates decrease and the goals proposed by the WHO are achieved

Fatores relacionados, tendência temporal e associação espacial do abandono de tratamento para tuberculose em Ribeirão Preto-SP

Objetivou-se identificar fatores relacionados, classificar a tendência temporal e identificar áreas com associação espacial do abandono de tratamento para tuberculose em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo. Estudo ecológico; população composta pelos casos notificados entre 2006 a 2017. Realizou-se o teste qui-quadrado para identificar fatores relacionados. Para a tendência temporal, utilizou-se o método de Prais-Winsten para classificar a tendência temporal do evento e calculada sua porcentagem de variação anual. Para verificar associação espacial, utilizaram-se as técnicas G e Gi*. Foram notificados 146 casos de abandono do tratamento da doença no período; como fatores de risco foi identificado pessoas sem escolaridade, retratamentos pós-abandono e falência prévia; como proteção casos novos identificados pela busca ativa, não ter coinfecção Tuberculose-HIV e não fazer uso de álcool ou drogas. A taxa de abandono apresenta tendência crescente (APC=1,6%; IC95% 0.02–3.48). O estudo evidencia o aumento do abandono de tratamento, contrariando as políticas direcionadas pelo End TB Strategy. Descritores: Tuberculose; Cooperação e Adesão ao Tratamento; Saúde Pública; Análise Espacial

Analysis of Territories in Extreme Vulnerability and Trends in Southern Brazil

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.(1) Background: Tuberculosis presents an epidemiological trend toward inequality, especially among people in social exclusion and situations of vulnerability. This study aimed to analyze territories with a concentration of people diagnosed with tuberculosis in a street situation and who partake in chronic use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. We also analyzed trends in this health condition in southern Brazil. (2) Methods: Ecological study, developed in the 399 municipalities of Paraná, southern Brazil, with all tuberculosis cases in the homeless population registered in the Information System of Notifiable Diseases between 2014 and 2018. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, the Prais–Winsten autoregression method for the time series, and the Getis-Ord Gi technique* for spatial analysis. (3) Results: in total, 560 cases were reported. We found a predominance of alcohol, smoking, and illicit drug users, with an increasing trend in the state and clusters of spatial risk in the East health macro-region. (4) Conclusions: We observed territories with critical levels of highly vulnerable people who use psychoactive substances and are in a street situation. The results highlight the importance of incorporating public policies of social protection for these individuals and resolutive health services that receive these cases and assist in eradicating TB.publishersversionpublishe

Spatial risk of tuberculosis mortality and social vulnerability in Northeast Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common infectious disease in the world. We aimed to analyze the spatial risk of tuberculosis mortality and to verify associations in high-risk areas with social vulnerability. METHODS: This was an ecological study. The scan statistic was used to detect areas at risk, and the Bivariate Moran Index was used to verify relationships between variables. RESULTS: High-risk areas of tuberculosis mortality were statistically significantly associated with domain 2 of the Social Vulnerability Index (I=0.010; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence regarding areas with high risk and that vulnerability is a determinant of TB mortality.publishersversionpublishe

Trends and forecasts of leprosy for a hyperendemic city from Brazil’s northeast: Evidence from an eleven-year time-series analysis

This study’s objective was to estimate the temporal trends of leprosy according to sex and age groups, as well as to estimate and predict the progression of the disease in a hyperendemic city located in the northeast of Brazil. This ecological time-series study was conducted in Imperatriz, Maranhão, Brazil. Leprosy cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 were included. Detection rates stratified by sex and age groups were estimated. The study of temporal trends was accomplished using the Seasonal-Trend Decomposition method and temporal modeling of detection rates using linear seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model according to Box and Jenkins method. Trend forecasts were performed for the 2017–2020 period. A total of 3,212 cases of leprosy were identified, the average incidence among men aged between 30 and 59 years old was 201.55/100,000 inhabitants and among women in the same age group was 135.28/100,000 inhabitants. Detection rates in total and by sex presented a downward trend, though rates stratified according to sex and age presented a growing trend among men aged less than 15 years old and among women aged 60 years old or over. The final models selected in the timeseries analysis show the forecasts of total detection rates and rates for men and women presented a downward trend for the 2017–2020 period. Even though the forecasts show a downward trend in Imperatriz, the city is unlikely to meet a significant decrease of the disease burden by 2020

time trends and spatial determinants in Southern Brazil

Publisher Copyright: © 2022, The Author(s).Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is a public health problem worldwide. It is estimated that 90% of the patients diagnosed with TB live in vulnerable environments with limited health resources, such as individuals living in correctional facilities. This study aimed to identify the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs among prisoners diagnosed with TB and the spatial determinants and time trends of the phenomenon in southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study using data from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System was carried out. TB cases confirmed from 2014 to 2018 in prisons located in Paraná, Brazil, were selected. The Prais-Winsten procedure was performed to identify time trends by calculating monthly rates and the percentage of monthly variation. The Seasonal-Trend by Loess decomposition method was used to verify the time series and trends. The spatial association was verified with the Getis-Ord Gi* technique, and the risk areas were identified using spatial scan statistics. Results: A total of 1,099 TB cases were found in the studied population. The consumption of tobacco (n = 460; 41.9%), illegal drugs (n = 451; 41.0%), and alcohol (n = 179; 16.3%) stood out. An ascending trend was found for the consumption of alcohol (+ 19.4%/mo. (95%CI: 12.20–23.03)), tobacco (+ 20.2%/mo. (95%CI: 12.20–28.82)), and illegal drugs (+ 62.2%/mo. (95%CI: 44.54–81.97)). Spatial analysis revealed clusters for the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Conclusions: This study advances knowledge presenting the burden of drug use and its typology among individuals diagnosed with TB in the prison system. There is a growing trend among patients to use drugs, especially illegal drugs. The clusters show differences between the places where the prisons are located.publishersversionpublishe