Doroteia Aparecida Höfelmann, Associate Editor of the Journal Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde: revista do SUS (RESS), teacher at the Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
The article entitled Distribution and spatial autocorrelation of viral hepatitis B and C in Paraná, Brazil: an ecological study, 2011-2019, published in Epidemiology and Health Services: Journal of the Brazilian National Health System (Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde: revista do SUS – RESS, vol. 32, n. 2, 2023), identified that, in the period from 2011 to 2019, 16,699 cases of hepatitis B were reported in the state of Paraná. In the North and Northwest regions of the state, a reduction in the number of cases was found in the period, while in the Foz do Iguaçu, Francisco Beltrão and Cascavel health regions, clusters of cases were identified. With regard to hepatitis C, 10,920 cases were identified, in particular with an increase in the Western region of the state, and clusters of cases in the Paranaguá health region for the period from 2011 to 2016.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), based on cases reported on the Ministry of Health Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação – SINAN). Millions of people around the world are infected by the hepatitis B virus and C. Both these forms of hepatitis are chronic. Hepatitis B is transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual intercourse, while hepatitis C is transmitted mainly through blood transfusions and needle sharing.
The authors highlight the following: “The analysis showed the existence of priority areas for targeting strategies for hepatitis detection and prevention, service planning and organization, regarding hepatitis B and C case management in Paraná”. These results point to the need to strengthen the performance of Primary Health Care, with a view to eliminating hepatitis B and C by 2030.
References
Health Department intensifies actions to combat hepatitis throughout the entire State [online]. Agência Estadual de Notícias – Paraná. 2023 [viewed 29 January 2024]. Available from: https://www.aen.pr.gov.br/Noticia/Secretaria-da-Saude-intensifica-acoes-de-combate- hepatites-virais-em-todo-Estado
To read the article, access
PAVINATI, G., et al. Distribuição e autocorrelação espacial das hepatites virais B e C no Paraná: estudo ecológico, 2011-2019. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2023, vol. 32, no. 2 [viewed 29 January 2024]. https://doi.org/10.1590/S2237-96222023000200015. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/ress/a/bjkZ4G7jjb8WkpRhW6RbSbp/