Abstract

SILVA, Natal S da; VIANA, Araguacy B; CORDEIRO, José A  and  CAVASINI, Carlos E. American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the State of Acre, Brazil. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 1999, vol.33, n.6, pp. 554-559. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101999000600006.

OBJECTIVE: Present a statistical survey of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in the State of Acre. METHODS: Data were obtained from the forms of the "Campaign against Leishmaniasis", from January 1992 to December 1997. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied. RESULTS: There were 2.557 registered cases. The highest prevalence was found at the microregion of Brasiléia (231.8 cases/10,000 inhab.). The predominant clinical form was cutaneous (84.05%). The disease occurred mostly among males (71.02%). Half of the cases were among people with 24 years of age or younger. Most cases were people with rural occupations. 83.97% of the cases were diagnosed by clinical examination. The longest period to seek medical treatment was registered in the mesoregion of Juruá Valley (10.37 months) CONCLUSION: The high number of cases suggests that it might be necessary to study the psychosocial implications of the disease and identify factors contributing to the delay in treatment.

Keywords : Leishmaniasis [mucocutaneous epidemiology]; Health surveys; Residence characteristics.