title: Health information systems and pesticide poisoning at Pernambuco.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding the epidemiologic profile of a particular disease is key to undertake health actions. To that end, information systems that present quality data help in the decision-making process and demonstrate the impact of the problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the contribution of health information systems for the characterization of pesticide poisoning through SINAN, CEATOX and SIM in the State of Pernambuco.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the completeness and consistency of the data were assessed, as well as the epidemiological profile of pesticide poisoning in Pernambuco in the period from 2008 to 2012, based on the following Health Information Systems: Center for Toxicological Assistance of Pernambuco (CEATOX), Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and Mortality Information System (SIM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data revealed incompleteness and inconsistencies in information. Regarding the profile, females are more affected in the morbidity profile, and men have a higher mortality rate. Poisoning was more frequent in young adults with low educational level. With regard to the circumstances, most of the cases were suicide attempts, unique acute cases and not related to work. Despite suggesting underreporting, the data showed that persons engaged in agriculture are most commonly affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strengthening of these systems is necessary for the generation of consistent information that support health policies for the population groups involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Research Center Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Costa Cavalcanti
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: de Albuquerque
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Research Center Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Idê Gomes Dantas
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Gurgel
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Research Center Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline do Monte
authors.initials: Ado M
authors.lastname: Gurgel
authors.affiliation: Research Center Aggeu Magalhães, Department of Public Health, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lia Giraldo da Silva
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Augusto
authors.affiliation: Pernambuco State Health Department, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marília Teixeira
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: de Siqueira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D063005:Health Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides