SCORPION ACCIDENTS IN BAHIA, BRAZIL: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF UNDERREPORTINGS BY SINAN IN 2006

Abstract

A descriptive analysis of scorpion accidents in Bahia - Brazil over 2006 was carried out, based in the reports availables in the Disease Reporting Information System (SINAN), National Poison Information System (SINITOX) and register book of Anti-Poison Center of Bahia (CIAVE). Data were analyzed in simple and relative frequency. Underreportings for each county were estimated by the positive difference between the records of CIAVE and SINAN. We found 5.988 reports from SINAN, 676 from SINITOX and 652 from CIAVE. SINAN underreportings do exist and can be estimated in 4,35%, that means a loss of 261 cases in 54 counties, including Salvador and its metropolitan area that account for 67.4% of these cases.