EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN THE NORTH-WESTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT

Abstract

Aim: to describe the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases among children and adolescents from 2012 to 2016 in the North-Western Federal district of Russia using official documentation. Methods: We analyzed all forms used for official registration of incidence of infectious and parasitic diseases, as well as medical documentation on incidence and prevalence of diseases of the nervous system, which are among the most common complications of infectious diseases. Separate analyses were performed for children (0-14 years) and adolescents (15-17 years). The regions included in the study were St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, Vologda Region and Arkhangelsk Region. Results: We observed a decrease in both incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases in the Federal district. However, in the Leningrad region in incidence of infectious diseases among adolescents increased by 2.0 %. In St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, Arkhangelsk and Vologda Oblasts, the prevalence of infections among adolescents increased by 2.3 %, 10.5 %, 3.7 % and 3.9 %, respectively. A similar pattern was observed for the incidence and prevalence of the diseases of the nervous system. Conclusions: our results have shown in increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases and diseases of the nervous system in several regions of the North-Western Federal district warranting public health actions from health authorities in these regions.