Suicide and self-harm in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a time series analysis.

Objective: Acquired syphilis (AS) is a sexually transmitted infection that must be reported in Brazil, with an increasing incidence in the Belém Metropolitan Region (BMR). Method: This ecological study analyzed the epidemiological profile and gender disparities in the RMB between 2020 and 2024, using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). A total of 4,891 notifications were evaluated, of which 3,073 (62.8%) were male and 1,818 (37.2%) were female. There was a sharp increase in notifications from 2021 onwards, with a predominance of cases in men (63.3% in Belém and 62.3% in Ananindeua). Results and Discussion: The predominant profile was male individuals between 20 and 39 years of age, brown-skinned, and with a high school education. The disparity between the sexes was marked, with a higher incidence and growth trend among men. Originality/Value: It is concluded that there is a need to reinforce educational actions on prevention, training of Primary Health Care professionals, and improvement in the distribution of human and material resources to combat SA in the region.

BackgroundDengue fever poses a major public health threat in Brazil, particularly among individuals with comorbid conditions. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to impair immune defenses and may predispose patients to worse infectious outcomes, but its impact on dengue has not been comprehensively evaluated at the national level. This study aimed to assess the association between CKD and adverse clinical outcomes of dengue fever.MethodsWe conducted a population-based analysis using 2024 data from the Brazilian Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of dengue, based on laboratory or clinical-epidemiological criteria, were included in the study. The cohort was stratified based on their CKD status. Clinical features and outcomes (hospitalization, severe dengue, and death) were compared. Multivariable logistic regression models weighted by inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs).ResultsAmong 5,837,904 confirmed dengue cases, 30,527 (0.5%) had CKD. Compared to patients without CKD, those with CKD had significantly higher rates of hospitalization (14% vs. 4%), severe dengue (1.6% vs. 0.1%), and death (2.2% vs. 0.1%) (all p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, CKD was independently associated with increased odds of death (OR = 3.09, 95% CI: 2.66–3.59) and the composite outcome (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.53–1.71). Hematologic and autoimmune comorbidities also conferred increased risk.ConclusionCKD significantly worsens clinical outcomes in dengue fever. These findings highlight the need for early recognition, tailored care, and targeted public health strategies to protect this high-risk population during dengue outbreaks.

BackgroundAcute Chagas (AC) disease poses a considerable health challenge in Brazil, and many cases are believed to stem from oral transmission (OT). We seek to outline the epidemiology, demographics, and modes of transmission over a ten year period in Brazil, while also examining the pathophysiology of oral transmission.Brazil's five geopolitical regionsFigure 1.Geopolitical regions of Brazil as of 2014, along with their respective states. From: IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), 2019MethodsThis retrospective study used data from SINAN, Brazil’s Notifiable Disease Information System, which collects information from the national healthcare system. We analyzed demographic and epidemiological data from Brazil’s five regions between 2014 and 2023 (Figure 1).Figure 2.Presumed mode of transmission of Acute Chagas Disease in Brazil, per year, from 2014-2023Figure 3.Oral transmission of Chagas disease via ingestion of contaminated açaíAs illustrated in the upper left portion of the figure, triatomine bugs infest açaí fruits after they are harvested. These fruits are typically transported to a processing center, where they are blended into a thick paste or juice for human consumption. When the triatomine is crushed during this process, the trypomastigotes from its gastrointestinal tract are released. Humans then consume the juice, allowing the T. cruzi parasite to penetrate the bloodstream through the gastric mucosa.ResultsWe identified a total of 3,408 cases of AC (table 1). Of these, 3,246 were from the Northern region, with most cases (84.1%) occurring in the state of Para. The Southern region reported the fewest cases. The majority of patients were 10 to 19 years of age (1917 cases, 56%). However, nearly half of the cases in the Southeast region involved children under the age of 9 (42%). The primary mode of transmission was presumed to be oral in 2,869 cases (84.1%) (table 2). Notably, for 7 of 19 patients in the Southeast region, the transmission was reported as vertical. Laboratory diagnosis was confirmed for 3,238 patients (95%). Unfortunately, 45 patients died due to complications from AC, with most of these fatalities occurring in the Northern region.ConclusionThis review highlights the frequency of oral route of transmission of Chagas disease in Brazil and its associated implications, with large impact on the communities within the Amazon rainforest. The pathophysiology of OT occurs when people consume food or beverages contaminated with the feces of triatomines or secretions from parasite reservoirs. In Northern Brazil, a common beverage associated with outbreaks is 'açai' (see figure 3). We suspect this food source has large contribution to OT cases. It is difficult however to confirm oral route, as triatomines can infest areas where food and drinks are contaminated, leading to potential exposure through both oral ingestion and vector-borne transmission. With this review, we hope to highlight the importance of considering oral exposure as a risk factor for AC.DisclosuresMarcus Zervos, MD, merck: Honoraria

Objective To evaluate the completeness, consistency, and duplicity of self-mutilation reports among adolescents in Santa Catarina, from 2014 to 2023. Methods This study evaluated reports recorded in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravo de Notificação - SINAN). Completeness was assessed for 18 variables and classified as excellent (≥95.0%), good (90.0%–95.0%), fair (70.0%–90.0%), poor (50.0%–70.0%), and very poor (<50.0%). The consistency of seven variables was analyzed and classified into three categories: excellent (≥90.0%), fair (70.0%–89.0%), and low (<70.0%). Duplicity was checked using the variable “NDUPLIC_N” and by manual verification. Temporal trends were analyzed using Prais–Winsten regression, which classified them as stable, increasing, or decreasing. Results A total of 1,403 self-mutilation reports were identified. Completeness was excellent for 12 variables and good for three. Sexual orientation (75.8%) and gender identity (76.2%) were rated fair, while motivation of violence (46.1%) was rated very poor. An increasing trend in completeness was observed for three variables. Consistency was excellent for six variables and fair for one, with an increasing trend in “sex of the person attended versus sex of the perpetrator,” a decreasing trend in “presence of disability or disorder vs. type,” and stability for the others. No duplicate records were found. Conclusion The analyzed data showed good quality in the recording of self-mutilation among adolescents in SINAN of Santa Catarina. Strategies such as continuing education for health professionals and revisions to the reporting form are crucial for enhancing data quality and strengthening the planning of interventions to address this form of violence.

Identifying high-risk areas for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is essential for understanding the dynamics of disease transmission and for guiding more effective control strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the temporal trends and spatiotemporal distribution of PTB across Brazilian municipalities between 2010 and 2023. This is an ecological study using data on PTB cases reported in Brazil's Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) from 2010 to 2023. Time series analysis, global and local spatial autocorrelation, and space-time scan techniques were applied to identify temporal trends and spatial patterns of the disease at the municipal level. A total of 896,062 new PTB cases were analyzed. Notification peaked mainly in March and August. The average incidence rate was 30.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants-years. An increasing trend was observed in 13 states and the Federal District. Spatial analysis identified 804 municipalities as hotspots, with 168 showing persistent high incidence throughout the study period. A total of 28 spatiotemporal clusters were detected, involving 379 municipalities, of which 212 were classified as high priority. The most likely cluster was located in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, encompassing 10 municipalities, with a relative risk (RR) of 2.51 between 2017 and 2023. Spatial variation in temporal trends identified 22 additional clusters, including a prominent cluster composed of 493 municipalities in the Legal Amazon, which showed an internal time trend of 1.99% annual growth and a RR of 1.51. The study identified persistent and expanding patterns of PTB in Brazil at both regional and national levels, revealing specific areas with higher burden and increasing trends that should be prioritized. These findings provide evidence to support decision-making at federal level while reinforce the need for regionally tailored surveillance and control strategies to ensure a more effective and equitable response to tuberculosis across the country.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the completeness, consistency, and duplicity of self-mutilation reports among adolescents in Santa Catarina, from 2014 to 2023. Methods This study evaluated reports recorded in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravo de Notificação - SINAN). Completeness was assessed for 18 variables and classified as excellent (≥95.0%), good (90.0%–95.0%), fair (70.0%–90.0%), poor (50.0%–70.0%), and very poor (&lt;50.0%). The consistency of seven variables was analyzed and classified into three categories: excellent (≥90.0%), fair (70.0%–89.0%), and low (&lt;70.0%). Duplicity was checked using the variable “NDUPLIC_N” and by manual verification. Temporal trends were analyzed using Prais–Winsten regression, which classified them as stable, increasing, or decreasing. Results A total of 1,403 self-mutilation reports were identified. Completeness was excellent for 12 variables and good for three. Sexual orientation (75.8%) and gender identity (76.2%) were rated fair, while motivation of violence (46.1%) was rated very poor. An increasing trend in completeness was observed for three variables. Consistency was excellent for six variables and fair for one, with an increasing trend in “sex of the person attended versus sex of the perpetrator,” a decreasing trend in “presence of disability or disorder vs. type,” and stability for the others. No duplicate records were found. Conclusion The analyzed data showed good quality in the recording of self-mutilation among adolescents in SINAN of Santa Catarina. Strategies such as continuing education for health professionals and revisions to the reporting form are crucial for enhancing data quality and strengthening the planning of interventions to address this form of violence.

BackgroundThe rising incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and VL/Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (VL-HIV/AIDS) coinfection in parts of Brazil since the early 2000s underscores the need for research to better understand the dynamics of this dual disease burden. Previous analyses from 2000 to 2015 showed increasing trends in occurrence and mortality due to VL/HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to analyze temporal trends in VL and VL/HIV/AIDS coinfection and to identify associated factors.Methodology/principal findingsWe conducted an ecological time-series analysis combined with a cross-sectional study of all confirmed VL cases reported to the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System among residents of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 2012 to 2022, including VL-HIV/AIDS coinfections. Temporal trends were evaluated using Joinpoint regression with inflection points identified by the Monte Carlo permutation test. Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals. For the cross-sectional component, VL cases with and without HIV were compared using the chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests. Associated factors were identified through multivariable logistic regression with stepwise selection based on the Akaike Information Criterion. Multicollinearity was assessed using the variance inflation factor, and model fit was evaluated with the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was adopted. A total of 1,525 confirmed cases of VL were studied, of which 466 (30.55%) presented coinfection. Over the study period, the temporal trend of VL remained stable, while the highest incidence of coinfection occurred in 2022, reaching 1.99 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Older age, male sex - (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–2.11), and clinical signs such as weight loss (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.64–2.93) and cough (aOR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.44–2.49) were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of coinfection. In contrast, symptoms such as fever (aOR=0.28; CI = 0.22–0.37), edema (OR=0.48; CI = 0.36–0.65), splenomegaly (OR=0.52; CI = 0.41–0.65), hepatomegaly (OR=0.62; CI = 0.49–0.78), jaundice (OR=0.62; CI = 0.46–0.84), and other coinfections (OR=0.71; CI = 0.54–0.92) were less frequent among coinfected individuals.Conclusions/significanceSpecific clinical signs and symptoms differ in frequency between coinfected and non-coinfected individuals, which may help identify clinical patterns and improve differential diagnosis strategies. Although temporal trends indicate a stationary pattern over the past 11 years, strengthened interventions are still needed to reduce the incidence of VL–HIV/AIDS coinfection and mitigate its impact in endemic regions. Our findings highlight the importance of early clinical recognition of coinfection patterns and the implementation of targeted public health strategies to mitigate the impact of VL–HIV in endemic regions.

BackgroundDespite advancements in tuberculosis (TB) control policies in Brazil, the disease remains a significant public health concern. This study aimed to analyze long-term trends and projections of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence rates in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of Brazil from 2001 to 2035, as well as to quantify the contributions of demographic and epidemiological changes to these patterns.MethodsThis ecological study used national PTB case notification data reported to Brazil’s Notifiable Diseases Information System from 2001 to 2020. Joinpoint regression was applied to identify changes in temporal trends. Age-period-cohort models were employed to examine the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on disease risk. A decomposition analysis was then conducted to assess the contributions of population aging, demographic growth, and epidemiological changes. Finally, Bayesian age-period-cohort models were used to project the TB burden through 2035, stratified by sex and area.ResultsBetween 2001 and 2020, PTB incidence declined by an average of − 2.67% (95% CI − 3.43, − 2.08) per year in metropolitan areas and − 2.54% (95% CI − 2.92, − 2.16) in non-metropolitan areas of Brazil. However, decomposition analysis showed that the absolute number of PTB cases in metropolitan areas increased, primarily driven by population growth (+ 21,610 cases in men; + 10,545 in women), with a smaller contribution from population aging (+ 2649 and + 521 cases, respectively). In non-metropolitan areas, reductions were mainly explained by epidemiological improvements (− 8314 cases in men; − 6663 in women) and population decline (− 4972 and − 2380 cases, respectively), outweighing the effects of aging. Looking ahead, projections indicate that PTB incidence will rise in metropolitan areas, from 52.6 in 2015 to 62.4 [95% credible interval (CrI): 37.1–87.8] per 100,000 by 2035, while stabilizing at relatively high levels in non-metropolitan areas, increasing from 28.4 to 33.8 per 100,000 (95% CrI: 19.3–48.3) among men.ConclusionMetropolitan areas are projected to experience substantial increases in PTB incidence, while non-metropolitan regions are expected to stabilize at persistently high levels, particularly among men. The findings indicate that current TB control efforts in Brazil need to be strengthened for the country to meet the 2035 targets, especially in metropolitan areas.Graphical Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40249-025-01400-x.

Work-Related Mental Disorders (TMRT) are multifactorial conditions caused by adverse occupational situations and environments, resulting in psychological and behavioral changes. Every suspected case must be reported using the investigation form in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sinan). The objective was to assess the completeness of data from the Work-Related Diseases Epidemiological Surveillance System (SV-DRT) for the mental disorder in Brazil, from 2020 to 2024. The completeness assessment considered 14,527 reported cases. Of the 28 variables analyzed, only three achieved completeness greater than 95%. Of the five mandatory variables, three received an excellent rating. Of the essential fields, only two received a good rating; the others ranged from poor to fair. It can be concluded that the SV-DRT for the Mental Disorder condition, covering the period evaluated, was classified as regular for the completeness of the information contained in the database. Key words: mental disorder; occupational disease; health surveillance system.

Identify municipalities with underreporting of interpersonal violence based on homicide in Brazil, 2016 to 2018. Ecological study with rate on violence from the Notifiable Diseases Information System and homicide estimates from the Global Burden of Disease concerning < 20 years, women of 20 to 59 years, ≥ 60 years and the total of these subgroups. Bivariate Local Moran identified clusters of critical areas of low reporting rates and high homicide rates (p < 0.05). Municipalities in the North, Northeast, and Midwest of Brazil represented 29% of all reports of violence and 58% of homicides. The majority of these municipalities were concentrated in low reporting rates (≤ 0.8/10,000) and high homicide rates (≥ 13.7/100,000); and 31.4% of municipalities with high homicide rate reported zero cases. Reports of violence and homicide rates showed a negative spatial correlation (I<20 = -0.083; Iwomen20-59 = -0.023; I≥60 = -0.086; Itotal = -0.085), showing that nearby places have inverse values. Critical municipalities for underreporting of violence reach 16% of < 20 years, 12% of women, 23% of the elderly, and 18% in total. The low reporting in seriously violent areas provides evidence of underreporting. The findings can provide management with tools for initiatives to improve violence surveillance and access to the protection network.

The evolution of dengue fever trends in the Central-West Region of Brazil: An 11-year analysis of incidence data from 2013 to 2023 in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Spatial analysis of leprosy case distribution serves as a critical tool for identifying priority areas for intervention, particularly in settings with marked epidemiological heterogeneity. This study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of new leprosy cases in Pernambuco, Brazil, 2000–2024. This is an ecological study with the municipalities of residence as the units of analysis. The data was extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Information System. The average incidence rates were calculated: general, in children under 15 years of age and with grade 2 physical disability at diagnosis, for four five-year periods. Bayesian smoothing and Moran’s global and local autocorrelation statistics were applied. The average rates of overall detection were 29.0/100,000 inhabitants per year (very high); in children under 15 years of age, 10.7/100,000 inhabitants per year (hyperendemic); and grade 2 physical disability, 1.6/100,000 inhabitants per year (low). Spatial analysis showed significant spatial heterogeneity, with clusters of high overall detection rates of leprosy cases, high detection rates among children under 15, and high rates of grade 2 physical disability at diagnosis, mainly in macro-regions I and IV. There is circulation of Mycobacterium leprae across all macro-regions of the state, with evidence of active transmission foci in macro-region III. Therefore, municipalities with a priority for intervention are concentrated in macro-regions I and IV, highlighting the need to strengthen leprosy surveillance and control actions in the state.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile and spatial distribution of leprosy in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, using secondary data from DATASUS and recent scientific evidence. Methods: This study is an integrative literature review combined with the analysis of secondary epidemiological data. Information was obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), covering the period from 2015 to 2024. A systematic search was also performed in the SciELO, PubMed, VHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases, using the Boolean combination of the descriptors “leprosy” AND “epidemiology” AND “primary health care” AND “Maranhão.” Peer reviewed studies and official documents related to leprosy in Maranhão were included. Results: Maranhão exhibited leprosy detection rates consistently above the national average. In 2023, 3,165 new cases were reported, corresponding to 33.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Spatial analysis showed greater concentration of cases in the south-central and eastern regions of the state, particularly in the municipalities of São Luís, Codó, Imperatriz, São José de Ribamar, and Timon. A predominance of multibacillary cases was observed, mainly affecting young adults, with a slight male predominance. Social vulnerability, limited primary health care coverage, and regional inequalities directly influence the persistence of transmission. Conclusion: Leprosy remains a major public health problem in Maranhão. The findings highlight the need for intersectoral actions aimed at reducing social inequalities, strengthening primary health care, and enhancing epidemiological surveillance, including active case finding and health education.

This study analyzed the temporal trend and spatial distribution of Chagas disease (CD) cases in the Northern Region of Brazil between 2013 and 2023, using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN/DATASUS). Confirmed cases of acute CD reported in the seven states of the region were included, and variables such as state of residence, sex, age group, and municipality were examined. The results revealed marked regional heterogeneity. Pará accounted for 79% of all notifications, totaling 2,688 cases, with notable concentrations in municipalities such as Abaetetuba, Breves, Belém, Cametá, and Curralinho, which represented true transmission hotspots. A significant increase in notifications was also observed after 2020, following a decline coinciding with the critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Age-group analysis showed greater involvement among adults aged 20 to 59 years, a group associated with the processing and consumption of regional foods such as açaí, the main product implicated in oral transmission in the Amazon. The distribution between sexes was balanced, suggesting a community-level exposure pattern. In the other states, low-notification profiles were observed, with small clusters in Amazonas, Amapá, Acre, and Tocantins, while Rondônia and Roraima reported minimal numbers, possibly influenced by underreporting and structural limitations in surveillance. The findings reinforce that CD remains a major public health challenge in the Northern Region, particularly in Pará, where productive, socioenvironmental, and structural factors combine to sustain the circulation of Trypanosoma cruzi. The results highlight the need for continuous surveillance, strengthening of Primary Health Care, improvement of sanitary practices in açaí processing, and expansion of diagnostic capacity to reduce transmission and enhance early disease detection.

Metal exposure from environmental pollution is a public health issue accounting for millions of deaths annually. In Brazil, such exposure is monitored through the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). We aimed to assess metal exposure distribution in the state of Pará, located in Brazilian Amazon, and identify high-risk areas to support the development of technical and evidence-based strategies for mitigating metal exposure risks. An ecological observational study was performed using data on exogenous metal exposure reported in SINAN from 2017 to 2024. Variables included sex, ethnicity, age group, education level, health macro-region, municipality of notification, circumstance of exposure, type of exposure, confirmation criteria, and case outcome. Data were analyzed by χ2 test, with significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 282 cases were recorded during this period. The mean prevalence rate was 3.95 per million inhabitants, while the mortality rate was 0.11 per million. Most cases occurred in Itaituba, Jacareacanga, and Trairão, with a predominance among indigenous individuals aged 20-39years. Environmental exposure was the most reported circumstance, confirmed by clinical and laboratory criteria. Although Amazon is a recognized region for metal exposure, the low number of notifications raises concern. Despite scientific advances, surveillance remains limited, especially in remote and vulnerable areas. Thus, strengthening professional training and improving data accuracy in notification system are essential to better characterize the epidemiological profile of metal exposure in the Brazilian Amazon.

Leprosy still represents a major public health problem in Brazil and, as it predominantly affects socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, it is considered a neglected disease with multiple barriers to control and elimination. The objective of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological profile of leprosy cases in the Marajó-I region, Pará. This is an ecological epidemiological study conducted using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), accessed through its official database. Data were collected from leprosy patients of both sexes, residing in one of the nine municipalities of the Marajó-I region, regardless of treatment completion status, who had records in SINAN. Between 2017 and 2021, a total of 225 cases of leprosy were reported in the region under study. Most cases occurred among mixed-race men, with a mean age of 42.3 years (±19.01), living in urban areas, with incomplete primary education, and working as fishermen. Regarding the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, there was a predominance of multibacillary cases, mainly of the dimorphous clinical form, with grade 0 physical disability, followed by grade I at diagnosis. The results indicate that the detection rate of new leprosy cases in the Marajó region remains high, suggesting that the disease continues to be a significant public health issue in this area. These findings highlight the importance of strategies aimed at expanding timely diagnosis and strengthening leprosy control actions.

Background and Objectives: Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and a public health problem in Brazil. Transmission occurs through the triatomine vector, oral, vertical, transfusional, and accidental routes. This study aims to outline the epidemiological profile of the disease in the North and Northeast regions between 2018 and 2022, analyzing case distribution and sociodemographic factors. Methods: This is an epidemiological and descriptive study. Data on confirmed cases of acute Chagas disease in the North and Northeast regions between 2018 and 2022 were collected using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). The variables analyzed include sex, age group, race/color, and mode of transmission. The data were processed using Microsoft Excel and TABNET. Results: The state of Pará accounted for 78.29% of cases. The sex distribution was 52.26% for men and 47.74% for women. The most affected age group was 20 to 39 years (34.69%), and most cases occurred in brown individuals (83.51%). The primary transmission route was oral, associated with the consumption of contaminated food. Conclusion: The distribution of cases highlights the predominance of oral transmission, mainly in Pará. The epidemiological profile indicates a higher incidence among young adults and men, reflecting occupational and socioeconomic factors. The reduction recorded in 2020 suggests an impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on case reporting. The study reinforces the need for oral transmission control and expanded epidemiological surveillance.

ABSTRACTPurposeSelf‐medication carries the potential for significant adverse events when practiced irresponsibly. The indiscriminate use of medicines notably intensified during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological profile of exogenous intoxications due to self‐medication among Brazilians from 2014 to 2023.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional, descriptive, and exploratory study utilizing secondary data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health's Notifiable Diseases Information System. Confirmed cases of self‐medication intoxication reported between 2014 and 2023 were included. Descriptive analysis, incidence and lethality rate calculations, chi‐squared tests (p ≤ 0.05), and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) were performed to explore potential associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables.ResultsA total of 23 859 cases were analyzed. The study observed a predominance of adults (20–59 years), women (70.8%), and individuals self‐identifying as White or Brown (mixed‐race). Most cases resulted from an acute‐single exposure to the medication and resolved with complete recovery without sequelae. There was a national increase in incidence, particularly in 2022 and 2023, and significant variations among Brazilian Federative Units. The MCA identified associations between advanced age and the type of exposure (repeated or chronic) and the severity of outcomes. It also revealed changes in the sociodemographic profile of self‐medication intoxications during the COVID‐19 pandemic.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the pandemic's impact on self‐medication patterns and intoxication notifications. The study highlights the need for public policies focused on health education, appropriate medicine use, and strengthening the culture of reporting in Brazil.

Scenario of Acute Chagas Disease in Brazil: A spatio-temporal analysis.