OBJECTIVE:
to describe agricultural pesticide poisoning cases in northeast Brazilian states, 1999-2009.
METHODS:
this was a descriptive case series study conducted using data from the National Poisoning Information System (Sinitox) for six northeast Brazilian states.
RESULTS:
9669 cases of poisoning were registered between 1999-2009. Pernambuco was the state with the largest number of records (39.5%). Suicide attempt was the principal event involved (69.8%). The majority of cases progressed to healing (75.6%), 7.1% progressed to death. 1999 and2001 showed the lowest incidence rates (both with 1.0/100,000) and higher lethality (12.6% and 10.4%, respectively). The highest incidence rate (3.5/100,000) and lowest lethality (6.9%) occurred in 2005.
CONCLUSION:
despite high incidence, a downward trend in the records was observed after2005. However, intermittent data incompleteness partially limited the comprehension of the phenomenon.
Descriptive Epidemiology; Poisoning; Pesticides; Lethality; Occupational Health
