Socio-demographic and clinical factors of leprosy cases associated with the performance of the evaluation of their contacts in Ceará, Brazil, 2008-2019

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of new cases (NC) of leprosy as determinants in the performance of contact assessment. Methods: A cross-sectional study with temporal approach of the 100% examined contacts assessment indicator of each NC registered in the State of Ceará, Brazil, via the Notification Information System, 2008-2019. Logistic regression was undertaken to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The time trend was based on Joinpoint regression. Results: 23,675 NC of leprosy were analysed, 65.4% with examined contacts. There was a greater chance of not evaluating of 100% of registered contacts when the NC was multibacillar (OR=1.19 – 95%CI 1.11;1.28), and with contact examination as entry mode (OR=1.71 – 95%CI 1.35;2.18). An increasing time trend of the indicator was verified (annual percentage change: 2.1 (95%CI 1.2;3.0). Conclusion: Different dimensions of individual and social vulnerability of new cases of leprosy in Ceará influence the persistent unsatisfactory performance of the evaluation of their contacts.