Epidemiological situation and control of schistosomiasis in Pernambuco, Brazil: a descriptive study, 2010-2016.

OBJECTIVE

to describe schistosomiasis control actions and its epidemiological situation in Pernambuco, Brazil, 2010-2016.

METHODS

this was a descriptive study using data from the Schistosomiasis Surveillance and Control Program Information System for 116 municipalities, including indicators related to control actions (population surveyed, tests performed, treatment coverage) and epidemiological actions (positivity, parasite load, other helminthiases).

RESULTS

Health Regions II, III, IV, V and XII, which are traditionally endemic, registered higher average percentages for control actions (population surveyed [6.5%, 6.0%, 2.0%, 12.0%, and 13.0%], tests performed [75.0%, 75.5%, 74.0%, 74.0%, and 68.5%], and treatment coverage [71.0%, 82.5%, 82.0%, 91.0%, and 73.0%], respectively), and higher average percentages for epidemiological variables (positivity [3.5%, 8.0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 6.5%], high parasite load [0.1%, 0.7%, 0.02%, 0.03%, and 0.5%], and other helminthiases [4.0%, 11.0%, 4.0%, 6.0%, and 8.0%], respectively).

CONCLUSION

control actions need to be expanded in traditionally endemic regions.