LEPROSY AND HEALTH VULNERABILITY IN BELO HORIZONTE, MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the spatial distribution of leprosy and its association with the Health Vulnerability Index (IVS in Portuguese). This is an ecological study of multiple groups and analytical character, held in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, using census sectors as analysis units. Data from leprosy cases notified between 2004 and 2013 were obtained in the Notifiable Diseases Information System. In order to reflect the adverse living conditions the IVS 2012, a composite indicator elaborated by the Municipal Health Department of Belo Horizonte, was used. The smoothed rate was obtained through empirical global Bayesian method. The results indicate that the medians of leprosy detection rates tended to be higher as the vulnerability increased according to the IVS, and in the sectors belonging to the very high risk category or high risk category the medians of the rates were significantly higher compared to the sectors classified as low and medium risk (p<0,001). Evidences show the need to intensify methods aimed to improve the living conditions of the population, because leprosy in that city follows a pattern built under the mark of inequalities, as confirmed by the association with IVS.