Characterization of Temporal Trends of Dengue Fever in Municipalities in the Brazilian Northeast Outback

Introduction: Dengue fever is currently a major endemic health issue in the city of Brejo Santo, located in the Brazilian Northeast outback, due to the rising morbidity and mortality rates in the area. The mosquito Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue fever virus, is highly adapted to the domestic environment. Since 1981 Brazil has been living with epidemic outbreaks of dengue fever. Objective: To explain temporal trends of dengue fever in the municipalities of the 19th Health Region of Brejo Santo within the years 2007-2013. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Data were supplied by the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and the Mortality Information System (SIM). All notifications of dengue fever cases in the 19th Health Region of Brejo Santo between January 2007 and December 2013 were included. Results: A total of 7,766 cases of dengue fever were confirmed in the period between 2007-2013, among which 5 evolved to death. A high incidence was observed in most municipalities of the 19th Health Region. A fluctuation in incidence could be observed with interspersing periods of large epidemic outbreaks. Most of these municipalities are at risk of dengue fever epidemics. The incidence in this region was of 378.1 cases per 10,000 inhabitants, and in the municipalities it ranged from 43.8 cases / 10,000 inhabitants to 695.8 cases / 10,000 inhabitants. Deaths by dengue fever were classified as: Dengue Fever with Complications (03); Dengue Shock Syndrome (01); Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (01). Conclusion: According to the information provided in this study, the greatest challenges health professionals have to face include the control of dengue fever and the prevention of death cases in the Health Region. To achieve good results, it is necessary to involve people in the process of co-responsibility, to strengthen links with other sectors of society, to promote adequate and timely assistance to the population and to improve the flow of health information, thus generating proactive and effective actions.Â