Neurocysticercosis in Ecuador: Spatial clustering, social determinants, and epidemiological trends (2017–2023)

Andrés Fernando Vinueza-Veloz, Marlon Fabricio Calispa-Aguilar, Pamela Vinueza-Veloz, Tannia Valeria Carpio-Arias, Jefferson Santiago Piedra-Andrade, María Fernanda Vinueza-Veloz and Belkys Galindo-Santana

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2025, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is endemic in Ecuador. This study analyzes spatial clustering of municipalities with high and low incidence rates (hot and cold spots) and its association with social determinants of health (SDH). Methods: This ecological study used national anonymized hospitalization records (2017–2023) and outpatient registries (2021), as well as municipality-level SDH data. Data were aggregated at the municipality level. Spatial clustering was assessed using Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA). SDH were compared between hot and cold spots using parametric and non-parametric tests. Results: Between 2017 and 2023, 735 NCC cases were recorded. Annual incidence decreased from 1.01 to 0.44 per 100,000 inhabitants-year between 2017 and 2023. There was no difference in NCC incidence rates between males and females. Spatial analysis revealed clustering of municipalities with high NCC incidence rates in southern Ecuador (Moran’s Index = 0.46, p

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pntd00:0012205

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012205

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