Características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por meningitis bacteriana en Paraguay (2015 – 2019)

Abstract

Introduction. Meningitis is a disease that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. The epidemiology changed over the years due to the advances in conjugate vaccines, however, the mortality rate, as well as the disease burden, are still very high. Objective. To describe the epidemiological characteristics of meningitis mortality in Paraguay in the 2015-2019 period. Materials and methods. Descriptive and ecological study in which data was obtained from the open and official website of the General Department of Strategic Information of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. Crude and adjusted rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) were calculated using Excel and EPI INFO 7.0.Results. In the study period, 125 deaths were registered with the highest prevalence in 2018 (adjusted rate of 0.55 per 100,000 inhabitants) and the lowest in 2017 (adjusted rate of 0.27 per 100,000 inhabitants). The months with the highest mortality were August and December with 15.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Males were the predominant gender with 58.40% (73 people), 21.60% (27) were under 4 years of age, mostly women, and 12% (11) were seniors (60-70 years), mostly men. Average age was 37.76 years, 67.20% single (84) and 26.40% (33) had no formal education and 80.80% (101) lived in urban areas. The highest rates were registered in Paraguarí (6.8 per 100,000 inhabitants) and Rivas Kiese et. al.Características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por meningitis…