Completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases: a descriptive study, Brazil, 2007-2019

Abstract

Objective: to describe the completeness of notifications of accidents involving venomous animals held on the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System (SINAN), in Brazil and its macro-regions, from 2007 to 2019. Methods: we analyzed essential and non-mandatory fields for snakebite, spider bite and scorpion sting notifications, considering the following completeness categories: Excellent (≤5.0% incompleteness), Good (5.0% to 10.0%), Regular (10.0% to 20.0%), Poor (20.0% to ≤50.0%) and Very Poor (>50.0%). Proportional change in completeness between 2007 and 2019 was estimated. Results: 1,871,462 notifications were investigated. The “localized manifestations”, “systemic manifestations”, “case classification”, “case progression” and “zone of occurrence” fields had excellent or good completeness. Completeness was regular or poor for the “schooling” and “race/color” fields. The “occupation” field was predominantly poorly or very poorly filled in. There was a proportional worsening in completeness (PC<0) in most regions for the “zone of occurrence”, “case progression” and “schooling” fields. Conclusion: completeness of most fields improved, although socioeconomic and occupational fields require more attention.

The relationship and consequences of venomous animal encounters in the context of climate change

“…Previous studies have already highlighted the importance of introducing mandatory reporting to improve the management of accidents involving venomous animals. To this end, however, the training of health professionals is an essential prerequisite, as the incompleteness of reporting is a serious and chronic obstacle that prevents in-depth analysis of cases and the development of strategies to better address the problem (Brito et al, 2023).…”