title: [Epidemiological study of scorpion stings in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, 2005-2009].
abstract: This retrospective epidemiological study focused on scorpion stings in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, from 2005 to 2009. Data on reported scorpion stings were taken from the National System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) and the Epidemiological Surveillance System (SISVE) and patient records from the João XXIII Hospital. There were 2,769 cases of scorpion stings in Belo Horizonte (114.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), with a downward trend over time and the highest incidence from August to January. Tityus serrulatus was the species involved in most of the stings. There was no statistical difference in the incidence between male and female victims, and the most frequently affected age bracket was 55 to 64 years. Ninety-six percent of cases evolved to cure, and there were two deaths. It is necessary to improve the reporting process for scorpion stings and to consider the determinants of scorpion stings in order to plan and implement effective public health interventions.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil. amandaduarte@ufmg.br
authors.forename: Amanda Duarte
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Danielle Ferreira de
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: José Ailton da
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Marcos Xavier
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima Eyer Cabral
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: José Newton Coelho
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Meneses
authors.forename: Maria da Consolação Magalhães
authors.initials: Mda C
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012605:Scorpions; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution