Page 35 - DOENÇA MENINGOCÓCICA - VOLUME 2 - DIGITAL

SUMMARY

An epidemic of meningococcal disease, serogroupes A and C, was studied over a
period of 36 months (1973 – 1975) in a municipality situates in the South Brazil.
Correlations were calculated for the monthly incidence of the disease with climatic
factors — temperature changes, relative air humidity, rainfall, as well as with
socio-economic factors — monthly family income, inhabitants per household,
length of residence, schooling age group and demographic density. Further,
carriers werestudied during the peak incidence of the disease and the results of
two vaccinationcampaigns agains meningococcus A and C were analysed.

Among the climatic and socio-economic factors considered, only relative air
humidity, age group-under 14’s and family income were found to be significantly
and inversely associated with the incidence of meningococcal disease. In the
post-campaign period, climatic factors were not found to be associated with
the incidence of the disease and the correlation with income was found to be
lower whilst that with age was maintained. Apparent associations were observed
with the length of residence, schooling and age group due to the correlation of
these factors with income and/or low age group. Lethality was not found to be
associated with any of the climatic and socio-economic factors studied. Mortality
in general, followed the pattern of correlations observed for morbidity but in a
lower intensity.

A general rate of 17.4% nasopharyngeal carriers of meningococcus was estimated
from data based on a cross-sectional survey. A lower frequency was found among
students of japanese origin (8.5%) compared to non-japanese (36.1%), in keeping
with the lower susceptibility of Japanese for meningococcal disease. A higher
proportion of Group C (61.3%) in relation to Group B (9.7%) was observed.

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