Influência de variáveis meteorológicas na ocorrência de doenças infecciosas em diferentes localidades de Alagoas

Abstract

This dissertation in biometeorology has the objective of analyzing the influence of some meteorological elements on the behavior of some infectious diseases in the State of Alagoas, through an observational study, in an attempt to better understand their endemic behaviors and some environmental factors that can trigger them. The research was done in three cities of the State, situated in tree different regions: Maceió (litoral); Palmeira dos Índios (agreste) and Água Branca (sertão). Then a crossing was done between series of data of monthly number of cases of schistosomiasis, dengue and cholera, and meteorological data of precipitation, monthly average temperature, average maximum temperature, and average minimum temperature, during the period from 2002 to 2005. The data used were provided by the Secretaria Estadual de Saude de Alagoas and the Insituto Nacional de Meteorologia / 3o Distrito. The graphs obtained from these series of data were then analyzed, together with statistical techniques, in an attempt to find correlation coefficients (r) that are representative of the influence (or lack of influence) of meteorological factors on the endemic distribution of the diseases in the State of Alagoas. A low incidence of cholera was observed in the State, with no cases of the disease notified in Palmeira dos Índios and Água Branca, and few cases in Maceió, predominating in the rainy season. The precipitation contributed to a subsequent increase in the number of cases of schistosomiasis and dengue, in Maceió and Palmeira dos Índios. In Água Branca, the absence of schistosomiasis in an endemic form was verified. It was observed that higher temperatures favored the transmission of dengue in the three cities. Correlation coefficients were calculated, considering the period studied as a whole, and also considering each year separately. The values obtained for the continuous period were low. When each year was analyzed individually, the correlation coefficients obtained were a little higher.