Perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ofídicos registrados em Pernambuco no período de 2011 a 2021.

Abstract

Introduction: Ophidian envenomation is characterized by the injection of toxins through a snake's inoculating apparatus. In Brazil, four snake genera, namely Micrurus, Bothrops, Crotalus, and Lachesis, are responsible for such accidents. These incidents are subject to mandatory notification, requiring healthcare services to report them to the Municipal Health Department within 24 hours of occurrence. Objectives: The general objective is to present the epidemiological profile of ophidian accidents that occurred from 2011 to 2021 in the state of Pernambuco. Methodology: This study is a descriptive epidemiological investigation with a quantitative approach, based on secondary data reported to the State Health Department through the Injury and Notification Information System between 2011 and 2021. Results: A total of 9,355 cases were reported within the proposed timeframe. The highest frequency was observed among victims of mixed race (60.6%), with incomplete primary education (24.1%), in the economically active age group of 20 to 59 years (59.3%), and male (71.9%). The years with the highest rates of ophidian accidents were 2016, followed by 2019, both reaching a rate of 10.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The macroregion with the highest incidence was the Sertão, with 235,9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In 70.6% of the cases, there was no involvement in workrelated accidents. The highest frequency (29.6%) of correctly filled records was found in the Bothrops genus, with 40.7% of victims attacked on the foot. 61.3% of the cases were considered mild, with 31.5% of victims receiving medical attention within 1 to 3 hours of the incident, and 86.5% of cases resulting in a cure. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of the records in this study, it can be inferred that the majority of snakebite accidents occurred in economically active men, self-declared as "pardos" (mixed race), with low levels of education, and may or may not be related to occupational activities. The majority of victims were attacked by snakes of the genus Bothrops, predominantly on the feet, and received medical attention within a period of up to three hours, resulting in a favorable outcome towards recovery.