Temporal trends and spatial distribution of leprosy-related mortality in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015

Objective: to describe temporal trends and spatial distribution patterns of leprosy-related deaths in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, 2000-2015. Methods: this study was based on Mortality Information System (SIM) data; mortality coefficient temporal trend analysis was performed using joinpoint regression and descriptive spatial analysis, taking the state's 139 municipalities as geographic units of analysis. Results: 201 leprosy-related deaths were identified in Tocantins; average mortality coefficient was 0.7 deaths/100,000 inhabitants; mortality tended to increase significantly (5.4% Annual Percentage Change - 95% CI 2.0; 8.9); the average annual crude mortality coefficient ranged from 0.00 to 6.83 deaths/100,000 inhabitants, while the smoothed indicator ranged from 0.00 to 2.42 death/100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion: leprosy mortality showed a rising trend and heterogeneous spatial distribution in Tocantins, with the need to strengthen leprosy surveillance and control measures.