Acidentes ofídicos ocorridos no município de Santarém (PA) no período de 2000-2009

Abstract

It surveyed the epidemiological profile of snakebites and risk factors associated with its incidence among residents of the municipality of Santarém (PA) and occurred in the decade of 2000-2009. Approaches the study with a descriptive-analytical methodology, observational and retrospective, with the use of a properly coded database, provided by the National Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) of the Ministry of Health. During the period, there were 2283 cases, accounting an annual incidence ranging between 70 to 105 cases / 100,000 population with a fatality rate of 0.66%. The accidents predominated in rural people (87%) in the months of Amazon rainy (January to June) in male patients (79%) aged 20-29 years. Almost all cases were treated at the emergency room of the county (88%) located in the urban area. Most patients (56%) came to the Health Unit 6 hours after the accident due to difficulties in access by geographic factors and river transport. Were classified as mild in severity (38%), moderate (55%) and severe (6%). Due to the frequency of species of snakes in the region, Bothrops accounted for the majority with 70.9%, followed by laquéticos accidents (11.3%) and more frequent in Amazonian forests, the crotalic (2.1%) and rare Micrurus (0.2%) and 15.3% in the species was not identified. In 91% of these patients the serum therapy was instituted. Unable to determine the occupancy of these patients, nor their level of education due to lack of completion of the case report forms. The lower limbs were the regions mostly affected (82%), which draws attention to the adoption of simple but effective preventive measures. Because of the high incidence of cases (the largest in Brazil), difficulties in patient access to prompt and effective care (increasing the morbidity and mortality), and little importance given by health professionals with regard to whether the information necessary for a better assessment and protection of the residents of this region, concludes that these accidents, although endemic in much of the world, particularly the tropics, remains, according to WHO definition, a problem neglected (by patients, professionals and society). There is need for more research, more ads and more awareness.