Leishmaniasis in the southeast of Brazil: trends and sociodemographic disparities in hospital admissions (2013-2022)

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies, remains a significant public health challenge in Brazil, particularly in the Southeastern macro-region. Understanding the regional and demographic patterns of the disease is essential to guide effective control strategies. This study aimed to analyze trends in hospitalization rates for leishmaniasis (visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous forms) in the Southeastern macro-region between 2013 and 2022, considering sociodemographic factors. Data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/Datasus) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) were used to calculate hospitalization rates across the states in the region. Variables included age, sex, race/skin color, educational level, and state of residence. Trend analysis was conducted using linear regression. Minas Gerais presented the highest hospitalization rate (2.69 ± 0.79), five times greater than that of São Paulo (0.50 ± 0.11), followed by Espírito Santo (0.37 ± 0.20) and Rio de Janeiro (0.07 ± 0.03). In Minas Gerais, visceral leishmaniasis was predominant among children under five years of age, while cutaneous and mucocutaneous forms were more prevalent in adults. Higher hospitalization rates were observed among males, individuals with low educational attainment, and those self-identified as mixed-race. Regional variations may reflect socioeconomic disparities, limited access to healthcare services, and differences in the implementation of control measures. The study highlights the need for region-specific strategies tailored to age groups and sociodemographic profiles, with emphasis on surveillance, vector control, health education, and research investment, while acknowledging the limitations of ecological studies regarding causal inference.