Post-exposure human anti-rabies care in a city in Paraná - 2007 to 2022: demographic factors and causality

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Rabies is an anthropozoonosis of global relevance and high lethality that requires qualified care and attention to the aggressor species. The objective was to describe the sociodemographic profile and causality of human anti-rabies visits reported between the years 2007 and 2022 in the city of Ponta Grossa, state of Paraná. Method:Descriptive and quantitative epidemiological study carried out from the notification forms of human anti-rabies care in the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, between January 2007 and December 2022. Data were collected from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN) and tabulated in the Excel program. The main variables addressed were: sociodemographic factors, date of care, type of exposure, and species of the animal involved. Data were analyzed from absolute and relative frequency. The project follows the ethical standards of the National Health Council. Results: The sample included 16,668 cases. The sociodemographic profile of users who sought anti-rabies care was made up of 51.93% male, 92.98% were white and 4.55% mixed race, 15.77% were aged between 20 and 29 years, 13.16% between 30 and 39 years old. As for causality, 90,35% of notifications were due to bites, of which 95.60% were caused by canines and 3,81% by felines. Conclusion: Despite the predominance of reports resulting from accidents involving bites, it is necessary to raise awareness among health professionals and the population regarding the epidemiological importance of other types of potential exposure to the rabies virus.