Acidentes ofídicos em três comunidades ribeirinhas

Abstract

Snakebite or venomous snakebite is a public health problem in many regions of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, where it is considered a neglected tropical disease, causing enormous suffering, disability and death. This study aimed to record the epidemiological profile of snakebite accidents in three riverside communities (Vila Nova, Vila Eternidade and Praia de Fatima) near the municipality of Tabatinga, Amazonas, in the upper Solimões River region. Taking into account the epidemiological aspects of snakebite accidents in the communities, the main method used in the research was to interview residents of the aforementioned communities who had suffered snakebite accidents, through the application of semi-structured questionnaires with closed and open questions. Twenty-one people who had been bitten by venomous snakes in the three communities were interviewed, 9 in Vila Nova, 5 in Vila Eternidade and 7 in Praia de Fatima. The majority of the victims were farmers who were bitten on the foot and were between 61 and 70 years old. The patterns found were similar to those found in other studies in the Amazon region, and the lack of use of closed footwear, such as rubber boots when walking on trails and in fields in communities, increased the chance of new accidents with venomous snakes.