EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND CLIMATIC DETERMINANTS OF VENOMOUS ANIMAL-RELATED ACCIDENTS IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF CARIRI, CEARÁ

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological patterns of venomous animal-related accidents in the Metropolitan Region of Cariri (MRC), Ceará, Brazil, between 2015 and 2025, considering demographic, climatic, and socioeconomic factors. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study using secondary data from SINAN/DATASUS. Epidemiological variables, socioeconomic indicators (Human Development Index [HDI], Social Vulnerability Index [SVI], and Gini Index), demographic data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and climatic indicators from FUNCEME and IMA were analyzed. Incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated, and descriptive and correlational analyses were performed. A total of 11,860 cases were recorded, showing an increasing trend throughout the study period. Scorpion stings predominated (56.64%), followed by bee stings (23.43%) and snakebites (8.03%). Accidents were more frequent among adults aged 20–39 years (34.86%), with a similar distribution between sexes and a predominance among mixed-race individuals (83.33%). Most cases were classified as mild (85.78%), 91.16% resulted in recovery, and 53.74% received medical care within 1 hour. The highest incidence rates were observed in Barbalha (560.8/100,000 inhabitants), Caririaçu (348.6), and Farias Brito (287.7), associated with greater rurality, social vulnerability, and rainfall variability. Accidents showed a heterogeneous distribution and were associated with climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors, highlighting the need to strengthen surveillance and prevention actions in more vulnerable areas.