Análise cienciométrica da pesquisa sobre tracoma no Brasil, 2000–2020

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil cienciométrico das pesquisas sobre tracoma no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa bibliográfica de publicações sobre tracoma no Brasil indexadas pela base de dados da Scopus, a partir de critérios específicos no período de 2000 a 2020. Foram extraídos e analisados dados sobre autoria, país de origem, instituições e descritores, com análises de tendências temporais. As redes bibliográficas foram construídas via software de visualização cienciométrica VOSviewer® 1.6.16. RESULTADOS: Do total de 42 publicações analisadas sobre tracoma no Brasil, observou-se média anual de dois artigos, com incremento de aproximadamente 50% no período. Verificou-se média de três autores por documento e os inquéritos escolares foram a categoria de assunto mais comum. Os artigos publicados provêm majoritariamente de instituições brasileiras (95,2%), principalmente das sediadas nas regiões Sudeste e Norte. Dez autores mais produtivos estão mencionados nas primeiras autorias em 26,2% (11/42) e as instituições predominantes estão afiliadas ao estado de São Paulo. O termo Trachoma (n = 18) apresenta maior recorrência como descritor. CONCLUSÃO: Esta primeira análise cienciométrica sobre tracoma no Brasil evidencia limitado número de pesquisas sobre essa doença. Há discreto incremento da produção científica, apesar da concentração da origem em áreas geográficas com menor endemicidade da doença. Maiores investimentos são necessários para o melhor entendimento e controle dessa doença tropical negligenciada. A análise da produção bibliográfica tem papel relevante para fortalecimento do desenvolvimento de pesquisas e planejamento estratégico de programas para o controle de tracoma e doenças tropicais negligenciadas em geral.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientometric profile of research on trachoma in Brazil. METHODS: Bibliographic research of publications on trachoma in Brazil indexed by the Scopus database from 2000 to 2020, based on specific criteria. Data on authorship, country of origin, institutions, and keywords were collected and analyzed with analysis of time trends. Bibliographic networks were constructed via a scientometric visualization software— VOSviewer® 1.6.16. RESULTS: We analyzed 42 publications on trachoma in Brazil. The annual average was two articles, with an increase of about 50% during the period. The average number of authors was three per document and school surveys were the most common subject category. Most published articles came from Brazilian institutions (95.2%), mainly those based in Southeast and North Brazil. Of the most productive authors, 10 were mentioned as first author in 26.2% of publications (11/42) and the predominant institutions are based in the state of São Paulo. The term “trachoma” (n = 18) was the most recurrent keyword. CONCLUSION: This first scientometric analysis of research on trachoma in Brazil showed a limited number of studies on this disease. The scientific production slightly increased, although the origin of many studies is geographical areas with lower endemicity of this disease. Greater investments are needed for a better understanding and control of this neglected tropical disease. The analysis of bibliographic production on this topic is important to strengthen the development of research and strategic planning of programs for the control of trachoma and neglected tropical diseases in general

Epidemiology and control of trachoma in the state of Ceará, Northeast Brazil, 2007–2021

Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil / Secretária Municipal de Saúde. Russas, CE, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Saúde Comunitária. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil / Secretaria de Estado da Saúde. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Universidade Estadual do Ceará. Mestrado Profissional em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Brasília, DF, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Insumos Estratégico. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananinideua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Ceará. Instituto de Cultura e Arte. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Ceará. Departamento de Enfermagem. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de pós-graduação em Saúde Pública. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil / Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Saúde Comunitária. Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.Background: To analyze the epidemiology, surveillance, and control strategies for trachoma in the state of Ceará, northeast Brazil, from 2007 to 2021. Methods: This ecological study was based on secondary data from the Information System on Notifiable Diseases of the Secretary of Health of the state of Ceará. Data from school and home surveys for trachoma detection obtained during the study period were analyzed, the percentage of positivity was estimated, and sociodemographic and clinico-epidemiological factors were investigated. Results: The coverage of trachoma surveillance and control actions in Ceará municipalities increased from 12.5% in 2007 to 55.9% in 2019, but with an average restriction of 8.0% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimated trachoma positivity (mean overall positivity) was less than 5.0% (2.76%, 95% CI 1.2–5.2), with a higher proportion of cases in the 5–9-year age group (45.0%, 95% CI 44.6–45.4), in females (53.2%, 95% CI 52.8–53.6), and rural areas (52.6%, 95% CI 52.2–53.0). Positivity above 10.0% was observed in the Litoral Leste/Jaguaribe and Sertão Central regions, with a higher occurrence of the follicular inflammatory clinical form (98.1%, 95% CI 98.0–98.2). Conclusions: Trachoma remains in the state of Ceará and is likely underreported. Despite recent advances, the fragility of health surveillance activities compromises the recognition of the actual magnitude and distribution of trachoma in the state. Accurate information is fundamental for planning, monitoring, and evaluating surveillance and disease control

Scientometric analysis of research on trachoma in Brazil, 2000–2020

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze the scientometric profile of research on trachoma in Brazil. METHODS Bibliographic research of publications on trachoma in Brazil indexed by the Scopus database from 2000 to 2020, based on specific criteria. Data on authorship, country of origin, institutions, and keywords were collected and analyzed with analysis of time trends. Bibliographic networks were constructed via a scientometric visualization software—VOSviewer® 1.6.16. RESULTS We analyzed 42 publications on trachoma in Brazil. The annual average was two articles, with an increase of about 50% during the period. The average number of authors was three per document and school surveys were the most common subject category. Most published articles came from Brazilian institutions (95.2%), mainly those based in Southeast and North Brazil. Of the most productive authors, 10 were mentioned as first author in 26.2% of publications (11/42) and the predominant institutions are based in the state of São Paulo. The term “trachoma” (n = 18) was the most recurrent keyword. CONCLUSION This first scientometric analysis of research on trachoma in Brazil showed a limited number of studies on this disease. The scientific production slightly increased, although the origin of many studies is geographical areas with lower endemicity of this disease. Greater investments are needed for a better understanding and control of this neglected tropical disease. The analysis of bibliographic production on this topic is important to strengthen the development of research and strategic planning of programs for the control of trachoma and neglected tropical diseases in general

Prevalence of trachoma in the non-indigenous Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, Ceara State, Northeast Brazil

Programa de Apoio à Pós-Graduação; CAPESFederal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Postgraduate Program of Public Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil / Municipal Secretary of Health. Russas, CE, Brazil.Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Postgraduate Program of Public Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil / Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Department of Community Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Postgraduate Program of Public Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.State University of Ceará. Master's Degree in Child and Adolescent Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.State University of Ceará. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.Ministry of Health. Secretary of Health Surveillance. Brasília, DF, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde e Ambiente. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Postgraduate Program of Public Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil / Secretary of Health of the State of Ceará. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Postgraduate Program of Public Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil / Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Department of Community Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.Federal University of Ceará. Institute of Culture and Art. Fortaleza, CE, Ceará, Brazil.Federal University of Ceará. School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing. Department of Nursing. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Postgraduate Program of Public Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil / Federal University of Ceará. School of Medicine. Department of Community Health. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.Background: The aim of the current study was to estimate the population prevalence of trachoma in non-indigenous populations in the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, in the state of Ceará, northeast region of Brazil, 2021–2022. Methods: A population-based prevalence survey focusing on detecting cases of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1−9 y and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) ‘unknown to the health system’ in people aged ≥15 y, was conducted in rural areas of the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region in the state of Ceará. Indigenous populations will be further researched. Results: There was no detection of cases of TF and TT. In 900 households, 2234 people were examined. In the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region, females (54.6%; 1219/2234) and the mixed/Pardo-Brazilian ethnicity (68.1%; 1521/2234) predominated. The most commonly reported educational level was elementary and middle school (41.8%; 702/1679). In 56.2% (506/900) of households, there was a source of water within the household. The monthly income range of 50%−100% of the minimum wage predominated in the families of the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region (43.1%; 388/900). Conclusions: Although no cases of TF and TT were detected in the Baixo Jaguaribe micro-region in the state of Ceará during the study period, considering the historical endemicity, we emphasise the need for monitoring and sustainability of surveillance actions in areas at risk for trachoma, common contexts for neglected populations