Neurological disability in leprosy: incidence and gender association in Sergipe, Brazil

Leprosy remains a public health problem in many countries. The disease affects skin and peripheral nerves and can cause irreversible disabilities. In Brazil, the detection rate of new cases is 18.2/100,000 inhabitants and leprosy control is considered a priority in the state of Sergipe. Studies showing the epidemiological profile and geographical distribution of leprosy cases are needed for effective epidemiological control measures. The objective of this study was to assess the detection rate of new cases, the geographical distribution and association with gender and clinical forms in Sergipe. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Maps indicating the geographical distribution of leprosy cases and the degree of neurological disabilities of all municipalities of the state were created using Spring, version 5.1.8 and ArcGIS, version 9.3.1. Hyper-endemic leprosy municipalities exist in Sergipe, indicating that the disease remains a major public health problem. The leprosy cases were found to be in municipalities with a higher number of dwellings with nine people per house. A detection rate of 33.0/100,000 inhabitants was noted in 2005, followed by a progressive reduction in the number of new cases until 2010. However, in the same period, an increase of cases with neurological disability was observed. A significant association of males with the multi-bacillary form and neurological disability was observed. This predisposition to severe forms of leprosy in males may be due to a delay in diagnosis and treatment emphasising the need for special attention by the leprosy control programme

Neurological disability in leprosy: incidence and gender association in Sergipe, Brazil

Leprosy remains a public health problem in many countries. The disease affects skin and peripheral nerves and can cause irreversible disabilities. In Brazil, the detection rate of new cases is 18.2/100,000 inhabitants and leprosy control is considered a priority in the state of Sergipe. Studies showing the epidemiological profile and geographical distribution of leprosy cases are needed for effective epidemiological control measures. The objective of this study was to assess the detection rate of new cases, the geographical distribution and association with gender and clinical forms in Sergipe. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and the Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Maps indicating the geographical distribution of leprosy cases and the degree of neurological disabilities of all municipalities of the state were created using Spring, version 5.1.8 and ArcGIS, version 9.3.1. Hyper-endemic leprosy municipalities exist in Sergipe, indicating that the disease remains a major public health problem. The leprosy cases were found to be in municipalities with a higher number of dwellings with nine people per house. A detection rate of 33.0/100,000 inhabitants was noted in 2005, followed by a progressive reduction in the number of new cases until 2010. However, in the same period, an increase of cases with neurological disability was observed. A significant association of males with the multi-bacillary form and neurological disability was observed. This predisposition to severe forms of leprosy in males may be due to a delay in diagnosis and treatment emphasising the need for special attention by the leprosy control programme

Perfil Epidemiológico dos óbitos acumulados por COVID-19 em 2020, Piaui, Brasil / Epidemiological profile of deaths from COVID-19 in 2020, Piaui, Brazil

Introduction: Caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 generates respiratory infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe and lethal forms. In the state of Piauí, the first confirmed case and the first death occurred in March, and since then the State has sought to increase strategic plans in order to avoid an increase in mortality, with the aim of the present study to analyze the epidemiological profile of deaths by COVID-19 in Piauí. Method: This is a retrospective observational study on the epidemiological profile of cases of death from COVID-19 in the State of Piauí until the end of December 2020. Results: At the end of 2020, Piauí registered a total of 2,841 accumulated deaths, the majority of which were reported in people of the male sex, with a predominance among the 61 to 80 age groups. 87.35% of these cases had comorbidities, mostly arterial hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. Implications: The state of Piauí demonstrates an epidemiological profile of its deaths similar to other cities, but this is not synonymous with disease control. Public policies must continue and measures must be intensified to avoid aggravating the situation.

Violações dos direitos humanos das mulheres na ditadura

O artigo comenta sobre a situação geral das mulheres brasileiras nos anos de 1960 e 1970 enfatizando a participação de mulheres na luta contra a ditadura e o modus operandi do sistema repressivo misógino, que usou o corpo, a sexualidade e a maternidade como formas de intensificar a tortura ou exterminar cruelmente algumas militantes mulheres. Destaca o papel político da Comissão da Verdade por ter dado voz às mulheres vítimas, as quais só conseguiram falar em público, pela primeira vez, depois de mais de quatro décadas dos fatos ocorridos. Este texto também propõe que sejam devidamente investigados os crimes sexuais e crimes de gênero e apuradas as responsabilidades, ainda que tenham ocorrido há mais de 40 anos, pois são crimes de lesa-humanidade