High-risk spatial clusters for Zika, dengue, and chikungunya in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the spatial distribution and identify high-risk spatial clusters of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya (ZDC), in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and their socioeconomic status. METHODS: An ecological study based on data from a seroprevalence survey. Using a rapid diagnostic test to detect the arboviruses, 2,114 individuals were tested in 2018. The spatial distribution was analyzed using kernel estimation. To detect high-risk spatial clusters of arboviruses, we used multivariate scan statistics. The Social Development Index (SDI) was considered in the analysis of socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Among the 2,114 individuals, 1,714 (81.1%) were positive for at least one arbovirus investigated. The kernel estimation showed positive individuals for at least one arbovirus in all regions of the city, with hot spots in the North, coincident with regions with very low or low SDI. The scan statistic detected three significant (p<0.05) high-risk spatial clusters for Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. These clusters correspond to 35.7% (n=613) of all positive individuals of the sample. The most likely cluster was in the North (cluster 1) and overlapped regions with very low and low SDI. Clusters 2 and 3 were in the West and overlapping regions with low and very low SDI, respectively. The highest values of relative risks were in cluster 1 for CHIKV (1.97), in cluster 2 for ZIKV (1.58), and in cluster 3 for CHIKV (1.44). Regarding outcomes in the clusters, the Flavivirus had the highest frequency in clusters 1, 2, and 3 (42.83%, 54.46%, and 52.08%, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found an over-risk for arboviruses in areas with the worst socioeconomic conditions in Rio de Janeiro. Moreover, the highest concentration of people negative for arboviruses occurred in areas considered to have better living conditions.