Snakebites in Rural Areas of Brazil by Race: Indigenous the Most Exposed Group

Maria Cristina Schneider, Myriam Vuckovic, Lucia Montebello, Caroline Sarpy, Quincy Huang, Deise I. Galan, Kyung-Duk Min, Volney Camara and Ronir Raggio Luiz
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Maria Cristina Schneider: Department of International Health, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
Myriam Vuckovic: Department of International Health, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
Lucia Montebello: Department of Immunization and Transmissible Diseases, Ministry of Health of Brazil, Brasilia 70723-040, DF, Brazil
Caroline Sarpy: Department of International Health, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
Quincy Huang: Department of International Health, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
Deise I. Galan: Department of International Health, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
Kyung-Duk Min: Institute of Health and Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
Volney Camara: Institute of Collective Health Studies, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, RJ, Brazil
Ronir Raggio Luiz: Institute of Collective Health Studies, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-598, RJ, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: Animal stings are environmental hazards that threaten millions annually and cause a significant socioeconomic impact. Snakebite envenoming affects 2.7 million people globally every year, mostly the poorest and rural communities, with approximately 27,000 annual cases in Brazil. This study’s objective is to identify the most exposed racial group for snakebites in rural areas of Brazil and analyze possible differences in the outcome of an accident. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted using a database of rural snakebite cases from Brazil’s Ministry of Health (2017). Descriptive analysis and a regression model were performed to examine the association of bad outcomes after a snakebite with several covariables. While mixed-race individuals presented the highest number of cases (61.79%), indigenous and white populations were the racial groups with the highest and lowest exposure rates (194.3 and 34.1 per 100,000 population, respectively). The fatality rate was 3.5 times higher in the indigenous population compared to the white population. In the multivariable model, the number of hours between the accident and health care received and the case classification suggested an association with a bad outcome. Snakebite is prominent in Brazil, particularly among indigenous groups. Antivenom is available in the Brazilian Health System; however, efforts need to be made for decentralization.

Keywords: envenomation; snakebite; race; complications; time between accident and health care; Brazil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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