Epidemiological profile of accidents involving venomous animals: a descriptive and time series study, Maranhão, 2014–2024

Perfil epidemiológico y tendencia temporal de los accidentes causados por animales venenosos: estudio descriptivo y de series temporales, Maranhão, 2014–2024

Objective  To analyze the epidemiological profile and temporal trend of accidents involving venomous animals in Maranhão, from 2014 to 2024.

Methods  A descriptive and ecological study with time-series analysis aggregated by Health Regions, using data on accidents involving venomous animals obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, SINAN). The epidemiological profile was analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies, with incidence rates calculated by venomous animal group. Temporal trend analysis was conducted using the Prais-Winsten linear regression model to estimate the annual percent change (APC) with its 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

Results  A total of 44,620 cases of accidents involving venomous animals were recorded in Maranhão. Ophidism was the most frequent (46.4%), with higher occurrence among males (76.3%), individuals aged 20 to 39 years (34.2%), those self-identified as Brown (Brazilian mixed race) (73.0%), and those with incomplete elementary education (32.4%). In the state, the temporal trend was stable for ophidism (APC 2.50; 95%CI -0.10; 5.16) and erucism (APC -0.71; 95%CI -3.67; 2.35), whereas scorpionism (APC 7.94; 95%CI 4.75; 11.23), arachnidism (APC 7.87; 95%CI 6.37; 9.40), and bee stings (APC 4.47; 95%CI 1.13; 7.92) showed increasing trends.

Conclusion  Accidents involving venomous animals predominantly affected men, young individuals, those self-identified as Brown, and individuals with low educational levels. The temporal trend indicated a growing concern, particularly regarding scorpionism. Overall, the findings reinforce the need for continuous surveillance and regionally tailored public policies for prevention, integrating epidemiological, environmental, and health education actions.

Keywords
Environmental Health Surveillance; One Health; Environment and Public Health; Animals, Poisonous; Epidemiology