Spatial-temporal analysis of dengue deaths: identifying social vulnerabilities

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2017 Jan-Feb;50(1):104-109. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0272-2016.

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, and zika virus represent serious public health issues in Brazil, despite efforts to control the vector, the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Methods:: This was a descriptive and ecological study of dengue deaths occurring from 2002 to 2013 in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil. Geoprocessing software was used to draw maps, linking the geo-referenced deaths with urban/social data at census tract level.

Results:: There were 74 deaths, concentrated in areas of social vulnerability.

Conclusions:: The use of geo-technology tools pointed to a concentration of dengue deaths in specific intra-urban areas.

MeSH terms

  • Aedes / virology
  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Dengue / mortality*
  • Dengue / virology
  • Dengue Virus / genetics*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / virology
  • Male
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis
  • Urban Population
  • Vulnerable Populations*