Leprosy incidence in the state of Piauí, Brazil: spatial distribution and temporal trend, 2013–2023
- 1Centro Universitário Santo Agostinho – Teresina (PI), Brazil.
- 2Universidade de Salvador – Salvador (BA), Brazil.
Abstract
SUMMARY: OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, spatial distribution, and temporal trend of leprosy in Piauí, Brazil, between 2013 and 2023.
METHODS:: This ecological study used secondary data on new leprosy cases from the Notifiable Diseases Information System, available through DATASUS/TABNET. Cases among adults aged 18 years or older living in Piauí were included. For the spatial analysis, cases were grouped by health macro-region and development region of residence, and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated to identify territories with the highest concentration of notifications. Temporal trends were assessed by simple linear regression, with a 5% significance level.
RESULTS:: From 2013 to 2023, Piauí recorded 12,256 new leprosy cases. The highest concentration occurred in the Meio Norte macro-region and the Entre Rios development region. A significant decreasing trend was observed in Piauí (β=-54.11; 95%CI -85.24 to -22.98; p=0.003) and Brazil (β=-1,361.24; 95%CI -2,151.01 to -571.46; p=0.004), with a marked reduction in notifications in 2020. Low educational attainment, lack of bacilloscopy testing, and dimorphic clinical form predominated.
CONCLUSION:: Leprosy remains a relevant public health problem in Piauí, with spatial concentration and signs compatible with delayed diagnosis and surveillance weaknesses. Strengthening early detection, active surveillance, and health education is necessary to reduce transmission.
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BibTeX
@article{oliveira2026leprosy,
title = {{Leprosy incidence in the state of Piauí, Brazil: spatial distribution and temporal trend, 2013–2023}},
author = {Manuela Solyano Almeida de Oliveira and Ana Beatriz Oliveira Guimarães and Maria Antônia de Jesus Sousa and Leticia Sampaio de Andrade and Victor Augusto da Paz and Mikaelle Rodrigues Gomes and Ana Lúria Liriel de Sousa Lima and João Gabriel Noleto Ferreira de Matos and Államy Danilo Moura e Silva},
journal = {Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1590/1806-9282.20260739},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722373},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Leprosy incidence in the state of Piauí, Brazil: spatial distribution and temporal trend, 2013–2023
AU - Manuela Solyano Almeida de Oliveira
AU - Ana Beatriz Oliveira Guimarães
AU - Maria Antônia de Jesus Sousa
AU - Leticia Sampaio de Andrade
AU - Victor Augusto da Paz
AU - Mikaelle Rodrigues Gomes
AU - Ana Lúria Liriel de Sousa Lima
AU - João Gabriel Noleto Ferreira de Matos
AU - Államy Danilo Moura e Silva
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
DO - 10.1590/1806-9282.20260739
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722373
AB - SUMMARY: OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, spatial distribution, and temporal trend of leprosy in Piauí, Brazil, between 2013 and 2023. METHODS:: This ecological study used secondary data on new leprosy cases from the Notifiable Diseases Information System, available through DATASUS/TABNET. Cases among adults aged 18 years or older living in Piauí were included. For the spatial analysis, cases were grouped by health macro-region and development region of residence, and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated to identify territories with the highest concentration of notifications. Temporal trends were assessed by simple linear regression, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS:: From 2013 to 2023, Piauí recorded 12,256 new leprosy cases. The highest concentration occurred in the Meio Norte macro-region and the Entre Rios development region. A significant decreasing trend was observed in Piauí (β=-54.11; 95%CI -85.24 to -22.98; p=0.003) and Brazil (β=-1,361.24; 95%CI -2,151.01 to -571.46; p=0.004), with a marked reduction in notifications in 2020. Low educational attainment, lack of bacilloscopy testing, and dimorphic clinical form predominated. CONCLUSION:: Leprosy remains a relevant public health problem in Piauí, with spatial concentration and signs compatible with delayed diagnosis and surveillance weaknesses. Strengthening early detection, active surveillance, and health education is necessary to reduce transmission.
SN - 0104-4230
SN - 1806-9282
ER -