Epidemiological aspects of snake bites in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil in the period 2004 to 2010

Abstract

This study promoted epidemiological survey of snake bites that occurred in Mossoró in the period from 2004 to 2010, reported by the National System of Information of Diseases and Notification (SINAN). The accidents were analyzed in the following aspects: time of year with greater involvement, area of occurrence, the most affected age group, sex, site of the aggression, time of the accident until attendance, symptoms presented, evolution and classification of cases and the use of serotherapy. Of the 244 envenomations reported this period, 58.6% were assaults by snakes, and 44.8% for Bothrops, Crotalus genus of 9.8% and 2.8% of the genus Micrurus. The male were more affected (65.7%), predominantly aged between 20-49 years (57.4%) and lower limbs the anatomical region most affected (39.9%). The time between the bite and the attendance was less than 3 hours (66.4%), the majority of cases considered mild (58.7%), which evolved into healing (86.0%). An increasing trend in reported cases over the years was observed, but many people do not seek help, because of poor knowledge, occurring underreporting.