Epidemiological profile of aids notifications among adults in northeastern Brazil, from 2015 to 2024

Abstract

Objective: to characterize the epidemiological profile of AIDS in the Northeast region of Brazil, aiming to identify temporal trends, highlight population vulnerabilities, and reveal potential gaps in current strategies for disease prevention and control. Methods: this observational, descriptive, and retrospective study utilized data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), accessed through the TABNET/DATASUS platform. Variables analyzed included sex, age group, race/skin color, and educational level. Data were tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: between the study years, 75,106 AIDS cases were reported among individuals aged 20 to 59 in the Northeast, representing 27.5% of the national total. Most cases occurred in males (65.2%), with the highest prevalence observed in the 40–49-year age group. Brown skin color was the most frequently reported category (60.1%), and complete secondary education was the most common educational level among notified individuals (31.9%). A decline in the number of cases was observed over time, particularly from 2020 onward. Conclusions: the study demonstrates the persistence of the AIDS epidemic in the Northeast of Brazil, disproportionately affecting middle-aged, brown-skinned men with intermediate levels of education. These findings underscore the importance of public health policies tailored to regional specificities and vulnerable groups, as well as the ongoing need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, prevention initiatives, and early diagnosis strategies.