COMPARISON BETWEEN GROUPS IN THE MONTHLY OCCURRENCE OF SNAKEBITES, MUNICIPALITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, 2008-2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov16n5-254Keywords:
U Test, Poisoning, Neglected Tropical Disease, Antivenom, Botropic AccidentAbstract
Every year, an estimated 2.7 million people suffer snakebites, causing up to 138,000 deaths. The WHO aims to reduce snakebite-related deaths and disabilities by 50% by 2030. This study presents data on variables related to the snakebite cases in the city of Rio de Janeiro between 2008 and 2017. During this period, 495 cases were recorded, 89.1% caused by snakes of the genus Bothrops (B. jararaca and B. jararacuçu), whose venom has proteolytic and hemorrhagic effects. Half of the cases were mild (49.8%), and 86.7% received antivenom treatment. Only 9.9% of victims were treated within the first hour, 42.4% within three hours, 15.7% after six hours, and 21.1% had no recorded treatment time. Recovery occurred in 89.5% of cases. Most bites happened in urban areas (96.3%) and affected mainly men (68.1%) aged 19–59 years (mean 35 years). The lower limbs were the most affected sites, and 43.4% of victims had no recorded occupation. Local manifestations such as pain, edema, and erythema were most frequent, while systemic symptoms were rare. Coagulation tests showed abnormalities in 46.1% of cases, and 20.9% of victims did not undergo testing. Men had a higher hospitalization rate (67.3%) and an average hospital stay of seven days. The Lourenço Jorge Municipal Hospital accounted for 88.7% of treatments, followed by Pedro II Hospital (6.3%), both located in the West Zone, which recorded the highest number of cases.
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