Geospatial analysis: A study about dengue

Abstract

Objective: To describe/analyze the geographic space of the incidence rates according to the urban area. Method: This was an analytical cross-sectional ecological study to evaluate hypotheses of the relationships of cause (socioeconomic and environmental variables) and effect (confrmed cases of dengue) simultaneously. It was ecological, as the observation unit passed from individuals to groups of individuals, in which geographical areas were used as units of analysis (spatial epidemiology). Results: Revealed that the number of reported cases of dengue in Palmas (2011) increased 170% in relationship to the previous year. Conclusion: We call attention to an epidemic through the data presented. Thus, we suggest the need for changes in the strategies used today and enhancement of surveillance actions to control the mosquito Aedes aegypti, reducing the infestation to levels below 1%, and consequently to minimize the impact of the disease on the health of the population.