NOVAS PROPOSTAS DE ANÁLISE ESPACIAL E ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DA DETECÇÃO GERAL DE HANSENÍASE E DOS CASOS NOVOS COM GRAU 2 DE INCAPACIDADE FÍSICA NA PARAÍBA: ESTUDO ECOLÓGICO, 2016 - 2020

Objective: To propose the Spatial Rate Ratio and Spatio-Temporal Mean Ratio as analytical tools and apply them to new cases of leprosy and cases with Grade 2 Physical Disability in Paraíba, Brazil. Methods: This ecological study analyzed data from municipalities across the state of Paraíba between 2016 and 2020. Descriptive statistics and spatial analyses were performed using the Spatial Rate Ratio and Spatio-Temporal Mean Ratio. Results: The Spatial Rate Ratio was equal to or greater than 1.0 throughout the state, with the highest values observed for the General Detection Rate at 6.2 (2016), 10.5 (2017), 11.3 (2018), 10.3 (2019), and 7.6 (2020). For the Rate of Cases with Grade 2 Disability, the highest values were 29.8 (2016), 24.3 (2017), 22.0 (2018), 33.2 (2019), and 41.8 (2020). The Spatio-Temporal Mean Ratio ranged from 0 to 67.2 for the General Detection Rate and from 0 to 15.5 for the Rate of Cases with Grade 2 Physical Disability during the study period, highlighting significant spatial heterogeneity among municipalities. Conclusion: The analyses demonstrated that municipalities contribute differently to the burden of leprosy in Paraíba. These findings underscore the importance of designing interventions customized to the specific needs of each municipality to effectively address leprosy in the state.