SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH AMERICAN TEGUMENTARY LEISHMANIASIS

Abstract

Introduction: The American tegumentary leishmaniasis is a disease present in all Brazilian States. Caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through different species of infected sandflies. Objective: to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of patients affected by American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Method: a field research, exploratory, descriptive, quantitative approach that used secondary data information system of reportable diseases (SINAN) and the Secretary of health of the State of Acre, in the period from 2007 to 2015. Results: most patients with leishmaniasis had between 10 to 39 years (64.60%), composed of men (71.20%), Tan color (75.10%), low observed proportions of cases of LTA in population with incomplete higher education (0.80%) or complete higher education (1.40%), and higher proportion of cases with low schooling (31.80%), higher incidence in the population resident in rural areas (60.40%) among students (15.70%), followed by farmers (15.40%), housewives (4.20%) and ranchers (3.700%). Conclusion: social determinants such as low education, live in the countryside, exercise activities in the Woods, is economically active age are related to the largest proportions of cases. Therefore, the professionals of the health teams should, with critical eye on reality, perform preventive and monitoring interventions to patients with more vulnerable conditions indicated in this study, in order to promote a more favorable outcome in the evolution of disease.