An evaluation of the Sinan health information system as used by the Hansen's disease control programme, Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Background: Since the introduction of the national notifiable diseases information system (SINAN) in Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 1994, many problems have been encountered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SINAN software, quality of data input, the transfer of the computerised data from the municipality to state levels, human resources and other factors associated with the health information system infrastructure (HIS).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Pernambuco state, North-eastern Brazil, in 2005.

Long lasting BCG protection against leprosy.

Background: BCG vaccine protects against leprosy.

Objectives: Estimate BCG protection against leprosy by age by age.

Methods: A case control study with 226 cases of leprosy and 857 controls.

Desire for a child among women living with HIV/AIDS in northeast Brazil.

In Brazil, an increasing proportion of new HIV infections and AIDS cases involve women of reproductive age. To describe the reproductive desire of women with HIV/AIDS and to identify factors associated with the desire for motherhood, a cross-sectional study was carried out in the referral hospital for infectious diseases in Ceará State, northeast Brazil. In total, 229 women were included in data analysis.

Socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioural risk factors for leprosy in North-east Brazil: results of a case-control study.

Background: Brazil reports almost 80% of all leprosy cases in the Americas. This study aimed to identify socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioural factors associated with risk of leprosy occurrence in the endemic North-eastern region.

Methods: A case-control study in four municipalities.

[Residual effect of commercial applications of larvicides temefos and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis on Aedes aegypti larvae in recipients with water renewal].

The residual effect of temefos (commercial applications A, B and C) and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (D and E) on Aedes aegypti larvae was evaluated, in recipients with water renewal. Forty-four beakers of 1,000ml each (8 for each application and 4 controls) were used. In each beaker, 25 larvae were introduced daily.

Spatial analysis of the distribution of leprosy in the State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil.

The aim of this study was to describe spatial patterns of the distribution of leprosy and to investigate spatial clustering of incidence rates in the state of Ceará, Northeast Brazil. The average incidence rate of leprosy for the period of 1991 to 1999 was calculated for each municipality of Ceará. Maps were used to describe the spatial distribution of the disease, and spatial statistics were applied to explore large- and small-scale variations of incidence rates.

Selective mass treatment with ivermectin to control intestinal helminthiases and parasitic skin diseases in a severely affected population.

Objective: To assess the short-term and long-term impact of selective mass treatment with ivermectin on the prevalence of intestinal helminthiases and parasitic skin diseases in an economically depressed community in north-east Brazil.

Methods: An intervention was carried out in a traditional fishing village in north-east Brazil where the population of 605 is heavily affected by ectoparasites and enteroparasites. The prevalence of intestinal helminths was determined by serial stool examination and the prevalence of parasitic skin diseases by clinical inspection.

Inequality and leprosy in Northeast Brazil: an ecological study.

Background: Leprosy is an important public health problem in many developing countries and many features of its determinants are still obscure.

Methods: To investigate whether the incidence of leprosy is related to certain environmental and socioeconomic determinants, an ecological study was undertaken in 165 municipalities of the state of Ceará, Brazil. Social, economic, education, sanitation, demography, meteorology, and health data were collected.

Prevention of HIV infection among migrant population groups in Northeast Brazil.

HIV infection is spreading among the poor, women, and migrant communities in the interior of Northeast Brazil. The research focused on different configurations, beliefs, representations, and forms of social organization of behavior thought to be associated with the population's capacity to efficiently follow AIDS prevention measures. Participants located in neighborhoods known for having large migrant populations were identified by Family Health Program Workers in Fortaleza and Teresina.

Survival of adult AIDS patients in a reference hospital of a metropolitan area in Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological factors in AIDS patients survival in a reference hospital.

Methods: A sample of 502 adult AIDS patients out of 1,494 AIDS cases registered in a hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil, was investigated between 1986 and 1998. Sixteen cases were excluded due to death at the moment of the AIDS diagnosis and 486 were analyzed in the study.