EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS DUE TO SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN BRAZIL FROM 2020 TO 2025
Introduction: Schistosomiasis is an important health problem in Brazil, with a heterogeneous distribution and persistence of endemic areas, particularly in regions associated with unfavorable socio-environmental conditions. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations due to schistosomiasis in Brazil between 2020 and 2025. Methods: This was an ecological study based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), made available by DATASUS through the TABNET platform. Hospitalizations, deaths, and mortality rates due to schistosomiasis were analyzed according to region, sex, age group, and race/skin color. Results: A total of 795 hospitalizations and 36 deaths due to schistosomiasis were recorded in Brazil, corresponding to an overall hospital mortality rate of 4.53%. The Northeast region accounted for the highest number of hospitalizations (433; 54.47%) and deaths (31; 86.11%), as well as the highest mortality rate (7.16%). Hospitalizations were more frequent among males, whereas the hospital mortality rate was higher among females. The 20–59-year age group had the highest number of hospitalizations, while individuals aged 60 years or older had the highest mortality rate (9.71%). The brown/mixed-race population accounted for the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths. Conclusion: Schistosomiasis remains associated with significant hospital morbidity and mortality in Brazil, with a greater concentration of events in the Northeast region and higher hospital mortality among older adults and females. These findings reinforce the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, timely diagnosis and treatment, and environmental and sanitation control measures, particularly in endemic areas.