EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SCORPION STINGS IN CHILDREN, STATE OF BAHIA, 2007 TO 2010

Abstract

The scorpionism is a public health problem due to the high incidence in various regions of Brazil and are important because of the high occurrence with potential severity, especially in children. Thus, this study aims to describe the epidemiological profile of Scorpion stings in children (0-9 years) in the State of Bahia, from 2007 to 2010. It is a descriptive, exploratory, with a quantitative approach where secondary data were used in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), available at DATASUS. Among the 5,073 cases reported to the State Health Department in this period, the micro-South Center of Bahia had the highest percentage values and risks, when calculated proportions and incidence rates. In recent years, the majority of accidents befell males, attendance occurred within 3 hours after the bite, were classified as mild and progressed to healing. However, while the scorpion accident is seen as an important public health problem, there is need for further studies so that there is confrontation of the results presented so far, which culminate in increased understanding and epidemiological profile of such events.