Evaluation of the Completeness of Visceral Leishmaniasis Records in the Health Region – Açailandia (Region XIV), Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the completeness of the mandatory and essential fields that must appear in Sinan regarding visceral leishmaniasis, in the years 2019 to 2022 of the Health Region – Açailândia (Region XIV), Maranhão, Brazil.   Theoretical Framework: In Brazil, it is compulsory to report, requiring complete data for effective monitoring. Maranhão, especially Açailândia, faces a high incidence due to deforestation and precarious conditions, making it urgent to implement integrated public health control and prevention strategies.   Method: Quantitative descriptive study based on data analysis from DataSUS, where essential fields and mandatory fields were considered to evaluate the completeness of the forms.   Results and Discussion: During the study period, 48 notifications were computed and evaluated, in the essential fields, the “residence area” was the one with the lowest completeness categorized as “Poor” with 0%, the other variables presented good completeness, with more than 95% and the “Race/color” variable is the only one with 100%. Of the mandatory variables, “Coinfection with HIV” and “Type of entry” were the only ones that achieved lower completeness (87.5% and 93.75%, respectively) and the variables “sex”, “age group” and “diagnosis confirmation criteria” reaching 100% completeness.   Research Implications: Research has important implications for improving Epidemiological Surveillance, Formulating Public Policies and Training Health Professionals, making screening and combating visceral leishmaniasis more efficient.