Spatial temporal study of scorpion envenomation in the state of Sergipe, Brazil

Abstract

This is a descriptive, retrospective study using a quantitative approach based on secondary data from records related to scorpion envenomation from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN - Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação) from 2004 to 2014. The goal was to determine the frequency of scorpion envenomation in the eight territories of the state of Sergipe and to examine spatial differences and environmental influences on envenomation. The study was conducted in the state of Sergipe, Brazil and analysed the relationship between locations most affected by scorpion stings and anthropogenic changes. The following variables were analysed: month and year of the envenomation, territory, area of the envenomation and population according to Brazilian Institute Geography and Statistics (IBGE - Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). Territorial changes were observed in the neighbourhood of Santos Dumont, in the municipality of Aracaju, that were caused by human occupation in the years 2003, 2009 and 2014. To analyse the climatic influences on the frequency of scorpion stings, we used the normal temperature and normal rainfall in the municipalities of Sergipe, especially in Canindé de São Francisco, Nossa Senhora das Dores and Aracaju, provided by the National Institute of Meteorology and Technology (INMET - Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Tecnologia). A total of 8021 accidents with poisonous animals occurred in Sergipe between 2004 and 2014, of which 5133 (63.99%) involved scorpions; 80% of scorpion envenomation in Sergipe occurred in urban areas, with significant differences in the distribution per zone between the territories (P<0.01). The territory of Grande Aracaju (87.9%) had the highest frequency on scorpion envenomation in urban areas, Alto Sertão (55.9%) had the highest frequency in rural areas, and the municipality of Aracaju had 58.11% of all cases of scorpion stings in Sergipe. The neighbourhood of Santos Dumont was the most affected in the municipality of Aracaju, with 219/2983 cases. Regarding preventive measures aimed at the population, it is recommended that individuals maintain cleanliness in the vicinity of their households, avoid accumulating construction waste, use wall coatings, use protective screens in drains and sewers, and seal septic tanks; individuals may also preserve the scorpions' predators.