Scorpionism in the State of Gois (2003-2019)

Objective: to carry out an evaluation of accidents with scorpions in the State of Goias from 2003 to 2019. Methods: this is a descriptive epidemiological study, where data collection was based on the Compulsory Notification Forms, kept at the Information and Toxi- cological Assistance in Goias. A simplified form was used to collect 23 variables that were analyzed and tabulated. Results: 18,720 cases were notified, with the municipality of Goiania having the highest number of occurrences in the state, with a predominance of accidents in the urban area, with the economically active population being the most vulnerable. The seasonality of the accidents has little evident characteristics in relation to annual precipitation and temperature in the State of Goias, with a slight lower prevalence in the months of June and July. The length of service is associated with a better prognosis and case classification. The increase in the number of accidents has been increasing since 2012, when compulsory notification became manda- tory. The geographic distribution of accidents is influenced by the disorganized urbanization process. Deaths are mainly associated with the pediatric age group. Conclusions: the seasonality of scorpion accidents in the State of Goias has an unclear pattern with respect to environmental conditions. The productive age group is the most affected. There is a need to improve the training of health professionals regarding the diagnosis, the amount of serum to be used and the completion and forwarding of notification forms.