Invisible threat: accidents involving venomous animals in the Central-West region of BrazilAbstract
This study, a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative one, aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of accidents involving venomous animals in the Central-West Region of Brazil. Data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) were analysed and included accidents occurring between 2013 and 2022. Data collection was conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to analyze temporal trends (R2=0.95). A total of 133,550 cases were recorded in the region, with an annual average of 13,355 cases. Goiás accounted for 45.35% of the occurrences. The majority of cases occurred among individuals aged 20–39 years (33.30%), followed by those aged 40–59 years (28.59%). Males were the most affected (57.54%), and the predominant race/color reported was mixed race (49.65%). Regarding education level, most victims had incomplete primary education (11.10%), followed by complete high school education (10.52%). In 51.08% of cases, medical assistance was provided within one hour of the accident. The foot was the most affected anatomical site (25.74%). Most cases evolved to cure (88.96%), and only 0.2% resulted in death. Scorpion stings accounted for most cases (56.30%), followed by snakebites (22.21%), except in Mato Grosso, where this pattern was reversed. Accidents involving venomous animals are on the rise in the region, with a greater impact on economically active male adults with low level of education. Most of the accidents affected the foot, were caused by scorpions, and progressed to a cure. Specific preventive and care measures are required for these priority groups.
Keywords:
venomous animals; accidents; epidemiology; public health
Resumo
Este estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e quantitativo teve como objetivo descrever o perfil epidemiológico dos acidentes ocasionados por animais peçonhentos na Região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Foram analisados dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) e incluíram acidentes ocorridos entre 2013 e 2022. A coleta de dados foi realizada entre novembro de 2024 e janeiro de 2025. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva e regressão linear para análise das tendências temporais (R2=0,95). Um total de 133.550 casos foi registrado na região, com média anual de 13.355 casos. Goiás respondeu por 45,35% das ocorrências. A maioria dos casos ocorreu entre indivíduos de 20 a 39 anos (33,30%), seguido por aqueles de 40 a 59 anos (28,59%). O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido (57,54%), e a raça/cor predominante foi parda (49,65%). Quanto à escolaridade, a maioria possuía ensino fundamental incompleto (11,10%), seguida pelo ensino médio completo (10,52%). Em 51,08% dos casos, o atendimento médico ocorreu em até uma hora após o acidente. O pé foi o local anatômico mais afetado (25,74%). A maioria dos casos evoluiu para cura (88,96%), e apenas 0,2% resultaram em óbito. Os acidentes foram predominantemente causados por escorpiões (56,30%), seguidos por serpentes (22,21%), exceto no estado de Mato Grosso, onde essa tendência foi invertida. Os acidentes com animais peçonhentos apresentam tendência crescente na região, com maior impacto em adultos economicamente ativos do sexo masculino e baixa escolaridade. A maioria dos acidentes acometeram a região do pé, sendo provocado por escorpiões e evoluindo para cura. Ressalta-se a necessidade de ações específicas de prevenção e assistência direcionadas a esses grupos prioritários.
Palavras-chave:
animais peçonhentos; acidentes; epidemiologia; saúde pública
1. Introduction
In Brazil, more than 140,000 people are victims of accidents involving venomous animals every year, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospitalizations (Brasil, 2024; Souza et al., 2022). Worldwide, snakebite envenomation affects around 5.4 million people and kills at least 138,000 each year, generating incalculable economic losses, which has placed snakebite accidents on the list of 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) since 2017 (WHO, 2023).
This group of accidents represents a public health problem that requires compulsory notification (Vieira and Machado, 2018), with an increasing incidence in Brazil and worldwide. This is explained by the simultaneous occupation of animals and humans in various environments (rural and urban) caused by the already known context of agricultural services and tourism; disorderly urban growth; deforestation and modification of animal habitats, causing forced migration and occupation of urban territories by animals (Xavier et al., 2022; Silva et al., 2023).
The impact of climate change on agricultural activities and ecosystem dynamics has been studied in different contexts, including in recent studies (Rajabalinejad et al., 2023). Changes in temperature, precipitation and land use affect both the distribution of species and the frequency of interactions between humans and animals, contributing to the increase in accidents by venomous animals in tropical and subtropical regions. These findings corroborate the need for continuous monitoring of diseases and intersectoral actions involving health, agriculture and the environment.
In the regional context, it is important to note the conducive environment for the occurrence of accidents with venomous animals in the Central-West Region, given the economic matrix based on agriculture, livestock and extraction (IBGE, 2023), which also explains the most vulnerable public to accidents, the population aged 20-59, of economically active age, often involved in rural employment. In this context, there is a predominance of lethality in ophidic accidents, both in the Central-West and the Northeast, although the highest number of incidences among notifications is related to accidents involving scorpions, representing a national reality of growth in these cases, while cases involving snakes show a stationary or decreasing trend (Souza et al., 2022).
The main causative agents of accidents are snakes, scorpions and spiders (Silva et al., 2023), as well as caterpillars, despite their low clinical relevance (Bado et al., 2024). Among snakes, the genus Bothrops stands out; among scorpions and spiders, the genera Tityus serrulatus and Loxosceles stand out, respectively (Ferreira and Rocha, 2019; Silva et al., 2023). In this way, the understanding of the animals involved in the disease also makes it possible to know how to prevent it. Thus, the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and, before that, the availability of PPE to avoid contact between venom and unprotected skin (Silveira and Machado, 2017; Xavier et al., 2022), in addition to educating the population and the health community, so as to enable assistance to be sought fast, as well as the correct identification of the animal that causes the disease (Nascimento et al., 2019).
Although there are national studies on venomous animal accidents, there is a gap in knowledge about the epidemiological profile of this disease in the Central-West region, which is characterized by fast population growth, a primary-sector economy, and unique vulnerabilities. The lack of detailed regional analyses hinders the planning of public health prevention and response actions. This study aims to fill this gap, providing data that can support public policies, strengthen epidemiological surveillance, and direct preventive actions towards the most exposed groups, thus helping to reduce the impact of accidents by venomous animals in the region.
In view of this, the aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of accidents caused by venomous animals in the Central-West Region of Brazil.
2. Materials and Methods
This is a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative ecological study based on secondary data via the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) through the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), which aims to collect and process data on diseases of compulsory notification in the national territory, enabling analysis of the epidemiological profile and consequently having a positive impact on collective health decision-making. It is an important tool of the Unified Health System (SUS), as it allows for health planning, intervention priorities and analysis of the results of interventions.
Accidents involving venomous animals in the Central-West Region of Brazil from 2013 to 2022 were analyzed, and data collection took place between November 2024 and January 2025. The period of analysis (2013-2022) was defined according to the availability of data when the research project was developed, which included the most recent years available in the SINAN system at the time.
The Central West Region of Brazil is formed by the states of Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, plus the Federal District. This region covers an area that corresponds to approximately 19% of the national territory being the second largest region in terms of territorial extension - surpassed only by the North, but it is the least populous, with only 8% of the national population (IBGE, 2023). Despite this, it is the region that has grown the most in terms of population over the last decade, according to the 2022 Demographic Census. In the region, the primary sector of the economy predominates, with activities focused on agriculture, livestock and extractivism. Thus, the strength of rural labor in the region can be seen, alerting us to the risks of accidents at work involving venomous animals.
Data collection was based on a script and was conducted by analyzing the notifications of accidents involving venomous animals recorded in SINAN. The data collection instrument was based on relevant information from the notification form for accidents involving venomous animals, standardized by the Ministry of Health.
The variables considered in the study were: general data (condition/disease; municipality of notification); sociodemographic data (age group; sex; race; education level); time elapsed from sting to treatment; site of the stung; accident data (type of accident: snake, scorpion; spider; caterpillar); treatment (classification of the case; local complications); and conclusion of the case (work-related accident; evolution of the case). All the records available for each variable were considered, and the “ignored” or “blank” categories were kept in the tables and descriptive analyses, according to how the system was filled in. No imputation procedures were used for missing data.
The data was entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0, using descriptive statistics. The variables were presented through absolute and relative frequencies, using tables and graphs.
Linear regression was used to identify data trends. This method was chosen because it can be applied to historical series with a small number of points and is easy to interpret, but the stationary time series was not checked. The equation of the line was displayed in the format y= ax + b, where a represents the average annual rate of change in accidents and b the estimated initial value of the time series (Antunes and Cardoso, 2015). In addition, the coefficient of determination R2 was included to assess the fit of the model to the observed data.
The data used in this study was obtained in aggregate format; therefore, it was not possible to access individual notification records and manually verify for any duplications. Any duplications or inconsistencies are inherent to the notification system itself (SINAN), which is a methodological limitation of this study.
As this study is based on secondary data that is available in the public domain, it did not need to be submitted to a Human Research Ethics Committee. No data was used that could identify the subjects. However, the researchers observed all the ethical precepts necessary for the analysis and dissemination of the results, in accordance with Resolutions 466/12 and 510/2016 of the National Health Council.
3. Results
According to SINAN data, 133,550 cases of accidents involving venomous animals were recorded in the Central-West Region between 2013 and 2022, with an average of 13,355 cases annually. Within the region, Goiás was the state with the highest number of cases, accounting for 45.35% of occurrences.
The trend analysis showed an annual increase in the number of accidents involving venomous animals in the Central-West region between 2013 and 2022 (Graph 1). Simple linear regression resulted in the equation y = 1387.7x - 3,000,000, indicating an estimated average increase of 1,387.7 cases per year. The coefficient of determination was R2 = 0.93, which represents an excellent fit of the model to the temporal data and indicates that approximately 93% of the variation in the annual number of accidents is explained by the linear trend observed.
Trends in accidents involving venomous animals in the Central-West Region, Brasil 2013-2022.
With regard to the highest number of cases registered in each state, Goiás appears with 9,305 (2022), Mato Grosso do Sul with 5,083 (2022), Mato Grosso with 2,939 notifications (2019) and the Federal District with 2,800 (2022), making the difference between the highest number of cases (9,305) and the second highest number (5,083) 4,222 notifications, which highlights the relevance of the state of Goiás with regard to the disease studied.
The majority of cases occurred in the 20-39 age group (33.30%) in all regions, followed by the 40-59 age group (28.59%), a difference corresponding to 6,292 cases (4.71%). When analyzing gender, the male population was the most prevalent in all regions, with 57.54% of the total cases. In the Federal District, the male population affected (6.24%), although prevalent, was almost similar to the female population affected by the disease (6.03%), as shown in Table 1.
Socio-demographic data of victims of venomous animal accidents in the Central West Region of Brazil, 2013-2022.
The predominant race/color in all states was brown, with 49.65% of notifications. In Mato Grosso do Sul, similar numbers of affected people were reported in the brown population (9.85%) and the white population (9%) (Table 1). As for education level, the majority of notifications occurred among the population who reported having incomplete 5th to 8th grades of elementary school (11.10%), followed closely by the population with complete high school (10.52%), considering the total number of occurrences in the four states.
Table 2 shows the characteristics of accidents involving venomous animals in the Central-West region of Brazil. With regard to the time between the animal bite and the care provided to the victim, a certain agility was observed, with 51.08% of cases attended to within the period of 0 to 1 hour, followed by cases attended to within 2 to 3 hours after the bite (22.84%).
Characteristics of venomous animal accidents in the Central West Region of Brazil in relation to treatment and case evolution, 2013-2022.
In almost all of the states, one in four notifications had the foot as the bite site (25.74%), followed by the hand (17.57%) and the finger (15.43%), with the exception of Goiás, where the finger was the second most common bite site (8.16%). There was a large predominance of cases classified as mild, with 76.98% of notifications. Fortunately, the majority of cases progressed to a cure (88.96%), and only 0.2% ended in death from the reported cause. Finally, 76.98% of notifications were not related to accidents at work.
Table 3, in which the types of accidents involving venomous animals are characterized, shows that accidents were predominantly caused by scorpions (56.30%), followed by snakes (22.21%), with the exception of the state of Mato Grosso, where the situation is reversed. In addition, the species of snake that caused the most accidents in all regions was Bothrops, with 16.57% of occurrences. Among spider accidents, most species were not identified, with 1.75% of cases reported as “other species”, followed by the Loxosceles species, with 0.97%. With regard to caterpillars, notifications were split between Lonomia (0.33%) and “other species” (0.47%). Noteworthy is the number of records in which the species of animal causing the accident was not identified, totaling 79% of snake cases, 96% of spider cases and 99% of caterpillar cases.
Types of accidents involving venomous animals in the Central West Region of Brazil, 2013-2022.
4. Discussion
Bites from animals that are carriers of venoms, toxins and pathogens are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is estimated that up to 5 million people are bitten by snakes every year, with almost 50% of them ending up poisoned and requiring immediate medical intervention (WHO, 2024). When animal bites and stings don't lead to death, they can cause various health problems, such as pain, poisoning, allergic reactions, infections, injuries and even disfigurement. In addition to the physical impacts, these occurrences can cause psychological suffering, financial difficulties due to loss of work and expenses for medical treatment (Haskell and Langley, 2020).
In this study, it was possible to observe a growing trend in the number of cases of accidents involving venomous animals in Brazil's Central-West Region, from 2013 to 2022, with an average annual increase of approximately 1,387 cases. This increase may reflect factors such as population growth, intensification of agricultural activities, disorganized urban expansion, as well as possible improvements in notification and epidemiological surveillance systems. However, the upward trend observed demands special attention from the health authorities, as it indicates that the preventive and health education actions implemented so far may not be enough to contain the advance of these diseases in the region.
In addition, the high value of the coefficient of determination shows that the linear trend explains a large part of the annual variation in cases, reinforcing the need for continuous and specific interventions in the region. It should be noted, however, that the analysis did not capture seasonal fluctuations or potential pattern changes associated with extreme weather events, which is a limitation and suggests the importance of future investigations with greater temporal detail.
The state of Goiás stood out from the rest as it had almost twice as many notifications as the second placed state, Mato Grosso do Sul. This data confirms the national trend of an increase in cases, which can be explained by urban growth, climate change caused by deforestation and the indiscriminate use of pesticides, altering the natural habitat and habits of venomous animals, which leads to an overlap between human and animal environments (Chippaux, 2015). In addition, the Central-West Region is dominated by the primary sector of the economy, with activities focused on agriculture, livestock and extraction, a situation which, together with the non-use of PPE, local ecological tourism activities and the low level of mechanization in agriculture, contributes to the occurrence of accidents with venomous animals (Silveira and Machado, 2017; Silva et al., 2017; Almeida et al., 2021).
The adult population (20 to 59 years old) prevailed among the victims, corroborating studies that point to the economically active population as the most susceptible to the injury analyzed, especially in those professions involved in agriculture, livestock and construction (Santos-Capim et al., 2024; Souza et al., 2022). However, even when not work-related, the occurrence of accidents can be attributed to the greater exposure of this age group to daily and leisure activities, which increase contact with these animals. Factors such as disorderly urbanization, the presence of animals in urban areas and a lack of knowledge about preventive measures, contribute to episodes of these accidents outside the workplace (Brasil, 2024).
Compared to women, men are still predominantly affected by the disease, which is justified by their employment in the aforementioned areas and involvement in situations where there is greater exposure to the animal, such as farming, ecological tourism, fishing and hunting. Despite this, the female population has been growing among the victims, especially in the Federal District, a state where the difference between the sexes is almost negligible. A previous study, referring to the population of the Brazilian capital, showed that the female population could surpass men in absolute numbers of accidents by 2027, which is explained by the increase in this population in the job market, especially when associated with rural or construction work (Tibério and Magalhães, 2022). This is complemented by another study which highlights the strong presence of women in cleaning and food services, increasing their exposure to possibly hidden animals (Almeida et al., 2021). the authors also point out that the increase of only 1% in the number of female domestic workers was associated with a 21% increase in the incidence of accidents involving scorpions. In addition, the closeness of cases involving men and women, especially in accidents involving spiders and scorpions, is associated with urban occurrence, since these species are found inside homes (Silva et al., 2023).
There is also a predominance of women in domestic work, such as cleaning the house and backyards and doing the laundry, as well as spending more time at home, enabling contact with animals that use the place as a shelter, particularly in the case of scorpionism - also more prevalent in the Federal District - which may explain the small difference between women and men affected in this region (Evangelista and Azevedo, 2016; Xavier et al., 2022).
The study identified the brown population as the most affected by accidents with venomous animals in all the states analyzed, representing almost half of the total cases, which agrees with a study using data from the national territory, where 42.8% of the victims were also of the brown race (Biz et al., 2021). Despite this, the race aspect was difficult to analyze, since it is little covered in the literature, as it is a variable that changes according to the state and region considered (Monteiro et al., 2024). As for schooling, this study found a higher number of notifications among the less educated population, in line with the national trend (Santana and Suchara, 2015; Pinheiro et al., 2021), closely followed by the population with completed high school. In this sense, the inverse association between accidents caused by venomous animals and expected years of schooling stands out (Almeida et al., 2021), possibly associated with the fact that this population lacks knowledge about these animals and prevention (Ferreira and Rocha, 2019), as well as greater access to quality health services, well-paid jobs and good housing conditions among the population with more schooling (Almeida et al., 2021).
This study showed that most of the care provided to victims of accidents with venomous animals in the Central-West Region was fast, occurring between 0 and 1 hour after the event occurred, legitimizing information consolidated in the literature (Silveira and Machado, 2017; Ferreira and Rocha, 2019). This situation also contributes to the higher occurrence of cases classified as mild (Xavier et al., 2022), confirming the data from the present study, in which approximately 77% of cases were of this nature, and 88.96% of cases progressed to cure, allowing a direct association between severity and longer time elapsed between bite and care (Ferreira and Rocha, 2019). Delayed treatments result in an increase in lethality of up to eight times, especially in the case of ophidian accidents (Silva et al., 2023). The speed of care influences the choice of treatment and also the chances of complications, such as sequelae, prolonged hospitalizations and death (Silveira and Machado, 2017).
Another important point concerns the increased health education of the population, which makes use of the health system instead of relying on beliefs in popular knowledge (Nascimento et al., 2019). However, in 2017, SINAN modified the notification form, removing the item “cure with sequelae” from the options, which hinders analysis of the full extent of the damage caused by accidents (Vieira and Machado, 2018). This absence hampers the identification of victims requiring multi-professional follow-up and rehabilitation techniques, while also constraining the development of public policies focused on post-discharge care and the social reintegration of these individuals. A study conducted in Sri Lanka showed that approximately 3.2% of individuals who suffered snake envenomation developed chronic musculoskeletal sequelae, including amputations, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and pain. This underscores the necessity for specialized services and rehabilitation in endemic regions (Jayawardana et al., 2016); and reiterates the importance of complete data for the effective performance of epidemiological surveillance.
The study also revealed that the Central-West follows the national pattern in terms of bite site, with a predominance of the foot, hand, and finger, i.e. distal limbs that are frequently described in the literature and are most likely related to the type of work performed by the population (Silveira and Machado, 2017; Xavier et al., 2022). The sting site can be explained by three factors. The first is the lack or failure in the use of PPE, whether due to financial conditions, discomfort or lack of knowledge (Silveira and Machado, 2017). Secondly, due to the terrestrial habits of some species, such as the Bothrops (Silva et al., 2023). Finally, due to both occupational and tourist contact that enables encounters with these animals, caused by the habit of stepping on the ground without proper protection, or handling or putting on objects without checking for the presence of hidden animals (Ferreira and Rocha, 2019).
Thus, the importance of complying with Regulatory Standard No. 31 (NR 31) stands out. The NR 31 aims to describe precepts that should be used in the organization and planning of rural work, in order to prevent accidents and diseases related to occupation, providing guidance on handling accidents with venomous animals, as well as ensuring that employers provide PPE and that rural workers use it (Brasil, 2005).
The location of the bite also influences the evolution of the case, since proximity to vital organs predisposes to a worse prognosis (Silva et al., 2017). Most cases affected distal limbs, more distant from vital organs, making it possible to correlate this with the mild and good evolution of the cases.
Contrary to what is described in the literature, where the aggravation is evidenced as an occupational risk and a problem of occupational health “directly linked to agricultural work,” especially regarding ophidic accidents (Souza et al., 2022; Silva et al., 2023), in this study there was a predominance of cases in which the accident was not work-related, a situation also observed in a study by Monteiro et al. (2024), which allows us to understand that the disease is not restricted to the work environment, but also to the home and tourism environments. In addition, there was a high percentage of cases in which the variable in question was not marked on the notification form, hindering a reliable analysis of the data.
As for the type of animal capable of causing the accident, the study found a predominance of accidents involving scorpions, with more than half of notifications, followed by cases involving snakes, with less than a quarter of notifications, in three of the four states analyzed - with the state of Mato Grosso being the exception, where snakes are the main cause, followed by scorpions. These findings contrast with information from Silva et al. (2023), who reported a predominance of ophidism over scorpionism, in agreement with studies by Nascimento and Rocha-Lima (2020). Despite this, this study confirms data from other authors, who reported an increase in notifications in urban regions, directly related to the increase in the number of cases involving scorpions, and a decrease in cases in rural regions, related to the reduction in accidents involving snakes (Nascimento et al., 2019; Xavier et al 2022; Tibério and Magalhães, 2022).
In relation to each causative species, among the snakes, the Bothrops confirmed its predominance already recognized in the literature (Brasil, 2017; Silva et al., 2017; Oliveira et al., 2018; Carizzi et al, 2024), which can be explained by their good adaptation to urban environments and regions close to lakes and rivers; in addition to the aggressiveness that is typical of the genus when under stress and the fact that they do not emit sound; added to their adaptation to varied environments (Evangelista and Azevedo, 2016; Vieira and Machado, 2018; Nascimento et al., 2019). It is important to recognize the genus, which can be facilitated by the signs and symptoms at the site of the aggression, allowing identification (Brasil, 2001; Silva et al., 2017), since the antidote cannot be generic, but specific to the animal causing the injury (Chippaux, 2017). Despite this, there is still a large gap in recording the genus of these animals, with more than 80% of cases going unidentified (Pinheiro et al., 2021).
Another study (Gouveia et al., 2015) emphasized the relationship between insufficient information, risk attitudes, and the rise in snake incidents, suggesting that environmental education programs can serve as an important instrument in minimizing accidents involving venomous creatures and safeguarding biodiversity.
The relationship between insufficient information, risk attitudes, and the rise in snake incidents was emphasized in a study by Gouveia et al. (2015) suggesting that environmental education programs may be an important instrument in minimizing accidents involving venomous creatures and safeguarding biodiversity.
Among the cases involving spiders, most did not have their genus identified. When the field was marked, the genus Loxosceles was frequently found. This lack of information was also reported in another study (Pinheiro et al., 2021) and can be explained by the difficulty health teams have in identifying the causative genus, by the unknown symptomatology or by the state of the animal's body when brought in for identification (Vieira and Machado, 2018).
With regard to caterpillars, notifications were more relevant in the Lonomia groups and in the “other species” classification. There is a possible underreporting often caused by the low severity and rapid resolution of cases, causing less demand on the health system (Vieira and Machado, 2018; Bado et al., 2024). The incidence of erucism may increase in the future, given global warming, the uncontrolled use of pesticides and the destruction of the animals' natural habitat, also relating the occasion of the accident as occupational, involved with activities that promote contact or proximity to plants and that are carried out outdoors (Souza et al., 2022).
Finally, this study had some limitations, mainly because it was conducted using secondary data from the SINAN, which can show errors in filling in the notification form, as well as underreporting of cases due to the complete absence of filling in the form or absenteeism on the part of the population, who in some cases treat themselves independently and don't seek medical attention. Another factor observed was the limited scope of SINAN in some respects, since although the largest numbers of cases are related to scorpions and snakes, the system does not detail the species of scorpions involved, limiting the scope of the research. This descriptive study did not perform some analyses; therefore, it is advisable for future research, especially those utilizing extended series and/or monthly data, to include other statistical tests during the analytical phase to increase the robustness of the results.
This study, however, makes an unprecedented contribution by describing the epidemiological profile and temporal trend of venomous animal accidents specifically in the Central West Region of Brazil. Despite the relevance of the subject at a national level, there are few analyses that thoroughly address the regional particularities of this disease, especially considering the socio-economic, environmental and demographic specificities of the region. This study fills gaps in the literature by supplying current stratified data by state, and contributing valuable insights for the development of public policies and surveillance strategies adapted to local contexts.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, this study described the epidemiological profile of accidents caused by venomous animals in the Central-West Region of Brazil, providing knowledge about the variables involved in the process that leads to notification. Notifications were more prevalent among males aged between 20 and 39, of brown race and with a low level of education. The parts of the body most affected by stings were the feet, hands and fingers; most cases were classified as mild and not work-related. Scorpions, followed by snakes, were the venomous animals most frequently involved in accidents.
Epidemiological data are essential for understanding the geographical distribution of cases, identifying the most vulnerable population groups and evaluating the efficiency of the medical care network. They also make it possible to formulate preventive measures to minimize accidents in all the regions involved, alerting rural workers to the correct use of PPE, as well as taking care in the domestic environment, which can be used as a hiding place for animals. Continuing education for healthcare professionals, with specific training on accidents involving venomous animals, positively contributes to the understanding of the variables involved in the accident process and greater awareness in filling out notification forms.
In addition, it is suggested that care points be organized in strategic locations, with appropriate serotherapy for each region, so as to enable prompt implementation of the correct treatment, in order to avoid deaths and complications.
In view of the limitations identified, further research should focus on the detailed identification of the species involved in accidents, since the absence of this information limits the accuracy of surveillance and treatment actions. In addition, it is suggested that strategies be developed to qualify and standardize the completion of SINAN notification forms, in order to improve the quality of the epidemiological data available. Other promising approaches include qualitative studies to understand the barriers to the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among rural workers and vulnerable populations, as well as the evaluation of socio-cultural and institutional factors that may impact the adoption of preventive measures. These initiatives are essential for subsidizing more effective public policies that are geared towards the regional reality.
Acknowledgements
To the Scientific Initiation Program (PIBIC) of UniRV, cycle 2024-2025 for their support in this research.
Data Availability Statement
The entire data set that supports the results of this study was published in the article itself.
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Edited by
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Editor:
Takako Matsumura Tundisi
