Abstract

BRAZ, Rui Moreira; DUARTE, Elisabeth Carmen  and  TAUIL, Pedro Luiz. Epidemiology of malaria in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, State of Acre, Brazil, in 2010: uses of a control chart at the local level. Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop. [online]. 2012, vol.45, n.4, pp. 526-529. ISSN 0037-8682.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0037-86822012000400023.

INTRODUCTION: This study describes the uses of a control chart in the malaria surveillance at the local level, signaling whether there is a need to intensify or adapt control measures. METHODS: The districts of Cruzeiro do Sul (n=14), State of Acre, Brazil, were classified into three groups: I) those with an incidence lower than expected; II) those with an incidence within the expected range; and III) those with an epidemic. RESULTS: Thirteen of the fourteen districts had outbreaks of malaria at some point in 2010, and six districts showed persistent malaria epidemic throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: The control chart may help the malaria control at the local level.

Keywords : Malaria; Control chart; Brazilian Amazon.