Timeline analysis of hepatitis B : cases in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of cases of Hepatitis B in the states of northeastern Brazil. This is an ecological study of the spatial and temporal distribution, by gender, age group and race of all cases of hepatitis B of the Brazilian Northeast, reported in the period from 2007 to 2013. The data were organized and processed in SPSS ® version 20 and analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Regarding t he spatial distribution , a vector map was constructed using the program QGis2.4.0 ® version Chugiak. In the analyzed period , there were 7,922 cases of Hepatitis B. There was an increase of 121 cases per year (p<0.0001); for men , it was 59 cases (p<0.001) and for women , this growth was 58 cases per year (p=0.006). The study highlights the need to intensify prevention and control strategies, as already started with the expansion of vaccination coverage. In addition, it is necessary a more effective specific approach that achieves the risk groups considered at risk .