Accidents caused by scorpions in a rural settlement in Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Scorpion stings are common in many Brazilian environments, especially in rural areas. In this descriptive survey, we evaluated the frequency of accidents caused by scorpions in a rural settlement in Ribeirão Preto, Southest Brazil. We used a random sample of 158 participants from the adult population living in the Mario Lago Rural Settlement, located in the “Fazenda da Barra”, rural area of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Approximately three-eighths of the participants had been stung by scorpions. More than 90% had encountered scorpions in their homes or yards, and 13.9% had been stung in the previous 12 months. Hands, feet, arms, and legs were the most common sting sites, and 72.5% reported that the accident occurred inside their homes. Our data suggest that the incidence rate of scorpion accidents found in this rural settlement is much higher than that found in the entire municipality of Ribeirão Preto. These findings highlight the importance of training programs and improvements in sanitary services to prevent scorpion stings in rural communities.