Spatial analysis of the distribution of dengue cases and its relationship with socio-environmental factors in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, 2007-2016

Abstract

Dengue is a serious public health problem, especially in countries that have socio-environmental conditions conducive to the development and proliferation of the transmitting agent. This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of dengue incidence coefficients in the State of Paraíba between 2007 and 2016, evaluating the existence of geographic dependence and its relation with socioeconomic and environmental factors. It is an ecological study, with analysis unit the 223 municipalities of the state. The global and local Moran Index was used to evaluate the spatial autocorrelation of dengue and the association with socioenvironmental variables. The analyzes were performed using statistical software R CORE TEAM version 3.3.2. When analyzing the distribution of dengue cases in the municipalities of Paraíba, one can identify that the disease is advancing and affecting a greater number of cities each year. The disease was present in all cities analyzed, which demonstrated the need to implement disease prevention actions throughout the state. Given this research, it was clear that dengue in the state of Paraíba is not determined by a single isolated factor, but by the combination of several factors of the socioeconomic and environmental context.