Estudo epidemiológico dos casos de acidente por escorpião no estado da Paraíba.

Abstract

This research is a retrospective study that describes the epidemiological characteristics of scorpion accidents in Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil, from 2007 to 2016. Data were collected at the Paraíba State Health Department, using the database of Notification Disease Information System data. Although the Ministry of Health provides information on the incidence and annual lethality of scorpion accidents in the state of Paraíba, there is a need for detailed regional and local information. Thus, the present study aims to generate information that contributes to the investigation of scorpion cases in the state of Paraíba and to facilitate the epidemiological surveillance of these accidents. A total of 23,078 cases of scorpion accidents were analyzed. Our results show that accidents occurred in all months of the years analyzed, most frequently in urban areas. Most victims are female, with a predominant age between 20 and 29 years. The foot is the region of the body most affected by arthropod bites. Medical care was provided mainly between 0 and 1 hour after the accident. Most cases were classified as mild and evolved to cure, with 22 deaths recorded. The high incidence of cases in Paraíba suggests that this region may be considered an endemic area for scorpion accidents. Consequently, we can consider this type of accident a public health problem. Highlighting the importance of monitoring and control of cases during all months of the year.