ORIGINATING PEOPLES IN THE STATE OF TOCANTINS: VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS AND ITS EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe zoonosis caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus, transmitted through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. In Brazil, the disease has an endemic character and a heterogeneous distribution, with particular emphasis on the Northern Region, where environmental, social, and cultural factors directly influence its incidence. This study aims to analyze confirmed cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Indigenous populations in the state of Tocantins between 2015 and 2025, correlating the available epidemiological data with geographical and social variables. It is a descriptive and quantitative research based on secondary data extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN/DATASUS). The results revealed the occurrence of the disease in four health regions of Tocantins, with a predominance in the Capim Dourado region, and showed a higher incidence among Indigenous individuals under 10 years of age. The findings reinforce the need for specific and continuous public policies aimed at prevention, early diagnosis, and monitoring of VL in Indigenous communities, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach territories.