The demographic determinants of scorpion poisoning in Algeria

Abstract

Because scorpion poisoning is a problem that threatens public health in Algeria in general and the desert regions in particular, as it is a geological habitat for scorpions, This study came to research the demographic determinants of scorpion poisoning and death in addition to measuring the extent of its spread in Ouargla Province as one of the most affected states, where the focus was on the most important demographic determinants contributing to that (gender, age, sting location, sting month, sting period), based on the data of the National Institute of Public Health (I.N.S.P) and the Directorate of Health, Population and Hospital Reform in the state during the period (2008-2018), the study concluded with a number of results, the most important of which are: the epidemiological situation of scorpion poisoning at the national and state levels, although it still registers high numbers, but it was known to be a decrease from the past years, on the other hand, there is a gender disparity in poisoning and death in favor of males, and most stings are in the homes during the July and August months in the evening and at night, in addition to stinging that increases with age and reaches its peak in the age group (15-49) years, however, his death occurs in the first ages (less than 15 years), at 51.81% in 2018