Sociodemographic Profile of Leprosy Cases in Northeastern Brazil from 2019 to 2023

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that remains a public health challenge in Brazil, particularly in the Northeast Region, which still has a high incidence of cases. By analyzing the geographical distribution and demographic characteristics of patients, we aim to describe the sociodemographic profile of leprosy cases in the Northeast Region of Brazil between 2019 and 2023. An ecological analysis was conducted using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). The variables studied included the frequency of diagnoses by state, sex, education level, race, age group, and clinical form of the disease. Prevalence was described based on the absolute frequencies of reported cases. A total of 49,719 cases of leprosy were reported in the region, with Maranhão, Pernambuco, and Bahia recording the highest numbers. Most cases occurred in male individuals (58%) and in people with low educational attainment. The multibacillary form was predominant (78%), and the most affected age group was between 40 and 69 years. Thus, leprosy remains a significant public health issue in the Northeast Region of the country, highlighting the need for effective control and prevention strategies, as well as improvements in epidemiological surveillance and early diagnosis.