Spatial distribution of scorpionism in urban areas near cemeteries: analysis of Mogi Mirim, SP (2018–2022)
Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2025, v.13: e02411| Published on: 09/12/2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22239/2317-269X.02411Keywords:
Scorpion Envenomation, Spatial Distribution, Epidemiological Profile, Venomous AnimalsAbstract
Introduction: Scorpion stings are a growing public health concern in Brazil, with a significant increase in urban areas in recent decades. Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of scorpion envenomation incidents in urban areas of Mogi Mirim, SP, between 2018 and 2022, exploring the relationship between proximity to cemeteries and the occurrence of these incidents. Method: Accidents that occurred in residences located within a 5 km radius of each cemetery were included, with the elaboration of Kernel maps and the calculation of the distances between the cemeteries and the accidents. The correlation between the number of cases and the distance was tested, in addition to evaluating the distance as a predictor of the occurrence of accidents (95%CI). Results: Of the total accidents, 75% occurred at distances greater than 1,250 meters from the cemeteries, with no evidence of correlation or significant predictive effect of proximity. The maps revealed heterogeneously dispersed hot spots, suggesting that environmental and anthropogenic factors may be more determinant for the dispersion of scorpions than the proximity of the cemeteries. Conclusions: Therefore, it was not possible to conclude that proximity, in isolation, is an important risk factor for scorpionism in the municipality.
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Author Biographies
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Lucas Coraça Germano, Faculdade Municipal Professor Franco Montoro (FMPFM), Mogi Guaçu, SP, Brasil
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Rafael Furtado de Paiva, Faculdade Municipal Professor Franco Montoro (FMPFM), Mogi Guaçu, SP, Brasil
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Herling Gregorio Aguilar Alonzo, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brasil
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The data used to conduct this study are available upon request to the corresponding author and are shared in accordance with the privacy and research ethics policies. The data are not currently deposited in public repositories.
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