Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Scorpion stings (scorpionism) have common occurrence in home areas, which may predispose workers who perform domestic services, such as homemakers.
Objective To describe the incidence and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of cases of scorpionism in homemakers notified in Brazil, 2007–2019.
Methods Incident case study, individual, with 84,538 homemakers stung by scorpion, with economically active age (18–65 years), occurred in Brazil from 2007–2019 and notified to the National System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). Cumulative incidence coefficients of scorpionism were estimated specifically for the female population occupied in domestic services. Demographic, socioeconomic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics were also investigated, using descriptive analysis.
Results The cumulative incidence of scorpionism was 110.9 cases/100,000 homemakers, 2007–2019, in Brazil. This scorpionism incidence in homemakers increased 349.7% in this period (48.7/100,000 homemakers to 219.0/100,000 homemakers) and was higher in the Brazilian Northeast (195.6/100,000 homemakers) and in the states of Alagoas (851.4 cases/100,000 homemakers), followed by Rio Grande do Norte (488.4/100,000 homemakers). Considering sociodemographic characteristics, the average age was 41 years old and occurred predominantly among workers with low education up to a maximum of elementary school (46.8%), brown color (55.0%), who were injured in an urban area (72.3%), in the upper limbs (51.2%) and who arrived early (<3 h) to the health service (83.1%) after the injury. Poisonings were predominantly mild (92.1%), and the relationship with work was not recognized by the service (95.7%).
Conclusions Homemakers constitute a scorpionism risk population in Brazil. It is necessary to give more visibility to this problem from the perspective of the workers health.