Dados do Trabalho

Título

Post-exposure Prophylaxis for Rabies in Humans in Feira de Santana, Bahia (2008-2019)

Introdução

The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends that anyone with a history of exposure to animals with the potential for rabies transmission should seek medical assistance. Inappropriate treatment recommendations can expose the patient to adverse events. Failure to complete the treatment does not guarantee immunization and can compromise the patient's survival.

Objetivo (s)

In this context, this study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and sociodemographic characteristics of human rabies treatment in the municipality of Feira de Santana from 2008 to 2019.

Material e Métodos

Variables related to the characteristics of the animal-inflicted injury and sociodemographic characteristics of the treated population were analyzed based on SINAN records and associated with variables characterizing the epidemiological profile. The indicated treatment was classified as appropriate or inappropriate according to the type of exposure, the association between severity of the injury, as well as treatment abandonment.

Resultados e Conclusão

According to the results, the majority of individuals were in the age group of 20 to 39 years (28.20%), male (51.05%), mixed race (80.95%), with incomplete primary education (49.61%), and residing in urban areas (90.97%). Of the reported injuries, 75.86% did not receive treatment. Among those who received treatment, 23.55% received only vaccines. Attacks by carnivorous animals were the most frequent, and bites accounted for 94.58% of exposures, representing the most common type of exposure. Lower limb injuries represented 51.62% of the wounds, with single-type wounds accounting for 70.34% and superficial lesions for 49.96%. The animal's condition was recorded as healthy in 84.64% of cases, and the final condition of the animal was negative for clinical rabies in 87.03% of cases. Severe incidents involving domestic animals suspected of rabies, rabid animals, missing animals, and deceased animals were considered inappropriate (insufficient) in terms of prophylactic measures. A total of 131 notifications were recorded for those who discontinued any type of recommended treatment, with abandonment being the reason in 85 cases. Of those who abandoned treatment, active search was conducted by the health unit in 74 cases. In conclusion, there is a need for stricter surveillance in human rabies care to avoid inappropriate recommendations in prophylactic measures.

Palavras-chave

Grievances; Prophylactic Conduct; Post exposure; Epidemiological surveillance

Agradecimentos

FAPESB for granting the scholarship and UEFS and PPGM