title: [Trends in Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Brazil in children under five years of age from 1983 through 2002].
abstract: The study was based on an ecological design using a historical time series (1983-2002), related to Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Brazil. Incidence, mortality and case-fatality rates, as well as trends in incidence and morbidity-mortality were estimated in children less than 5 years of age. Polynomial regression analysis was used to analyze trends, adopting a significance level of 0.05. 43.9% of confirmed cases occurred in infants less than 1 year old and 38.7% in children 1-4 years old. The observed rates were also highest in these two age strata. The incidence and mortality rates showed an increasing trend, until approximately 1999, when a quick decline was observed. The study results reinforce the effectiveness of the Vaccination Program against HIB in Brazil, which benefited age ranges that did not receive the vaccine (Herd Immunity).
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social da Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG.
authors.forename: Sybelle de Souza Castro
authors.initials: Sde S
authors.lastname: Miranzi
authors.forename: Suzana Alves de
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Isabel Cristina Martins de
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Freitas
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines