Visceral Leishmaniasis and Its Epidemiological Risk Factors in Brazil: An Integrative Literature Review

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease caused by a protozoan of the species Leishmania chagasi. Where VL is a chronic evolutionary zoonosis, with systemic involvement and, if left untreated, it can lead to death in up to 90% of cases. In Brazil, VL has a high incidence throughout the national territory. The objective of this study was to identify the epidemiological risk factors that are related and contribute to the emergence of Visceral Leishmaniasis. For that, an integrative literature review was carried out with a qualitative approach, apart from the selection of articles in the lilacs, medline, scielo and pubmed databases, with the combination of the following Decs descriptors: Leishmaniasis; Streaming; Prevention; and Control. A total of 27 articles were found, of which 10 were selected to compose the sample. Two thematic categories were characterized: 1) Transmission and prevention; 2) Leishmaniasis, prevention and combat programs. The transmission and prevalence of Leishmaniasis presents itself as a disease that can be prevented and also controllable, has shown important changes in the pattern of transmission, previously considered a disease of predominance due to the characteristics of rural environments, forests and periurban and, currently in urban centers. As for the factors that contribute to the emergence of Leishmaniasis, it is observed that it is linked to climatic and environmental factors, the disease is transmitted through the mosquito, the phlebotome to the female contaminated with the protozoan to the healthy person. Therefore, the socioenvironmental junction of a region, that is, the inadequate ecological conditions and also the lack of care with the hygiene of the backyards of the houses, favors the permanence of the mosquito responsible for the onset of the disease. Studies show the need to rethink it and redesign strategies as a way to prevent and control the disease. It is necessary to understand people in order to collaborate with actions aimed at preventing and controlling the disease. Keyword: Leishmaniasis. Transmission. Prevention. Control.