Human leptospirosis in the municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil: distribution and trend according to sociodemographic factors, 2007–2016

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: This study aimed to describe the incidence and proportional lethality of human leptospirosis in the municipality of São Paulo, between 2007 and 2016, according to sociodemographic factors and characteristics of the disease, and to assess the temporal trends of incidence, according to age group and region of residence. Methods: Proportional distributions of leptospirosis cases of residents in the municipality were built and regression models with a Binomial Negative response were adjusted. Results: 2,201 cases of leptospirosis were registered, most of them being males (82%), aged between 20 to 59 years (64.6%), white (39%) or brown (32.8%), residing in the South (27.8%), East (23.8%) and North (18.5%) regions. The overall lethality was 15.1%. The risk was higher in the 20 to 59 age group. There was a downward trend in incidence in all age groups and regions, estimated at 5.6% per year. Conclusions: Despite the downward trend in incidence, leptospirosis is a serious disease with high lethality, affecting mainly male individuals in the age groups considered economically active and living in the peripheral regions of the municipality