DISTINCTION OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS IN THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH VIRAL HEPATITIS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL (2007-2020)

Objective: To investigate the clinical aspects of viral hepatitis and the social determinants of reported cases in the Southern region of Brazil. Methods: This study is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, ecological, descriptive, and quantitative research focusing on the notification of viral hepatitis cases in the Southern region of Brazil from January 2007 to December 2020. The methodological approach involved analyzing data provided by the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan). Results: 139,027 confirmed cases of viral hepatitis were reported in the Southern Region of Brazil. The state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) had the highest number of notifications of viral hepatitis during the period studied. Males, white, aged between 20 and 59 years, and with a low level of education are the most affected by the infection. 6,717 cases were reported in pregnant women. A major type of manifestations of the disease was chronic hepatitis (78%). 5.2% of the cases were infected with virus A, 39.5% with virus B, and 52.2% with virus C. 13.9% of infections were acquired through unprotected sexual contact. Conclusion: Viral hepatitis poses a significant challenge to public health in the Southern region of Brazil, necessitating a comprehensive understanding through epidemiological studies.