The Scorpion Sting: Epidemiology, Clinical Symptoms, Treatment, Surveillance and Reporting Obstacles in the Salfit District (West Bank) (2014-2015)

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted in order to highlight the epidemical status of scorpion stings for the period 2014- 2015 in the Salfit district, and the obstacles facing the Ministry of Health in surveillance and reporting of scorpion sting, also to provide information to decision-makers to take the appropriate decisions in order to strengthen and activate the epidemiological surveillance system which is the most important to control the disease especially in tropical disease. Study Design and Methods: A retrospective and cross sectional study were done to discuss the epidemiological scorpion sting of Sixty stung patient reports (32 males and 28 females) during the years 2014-2015, also Specific questionnaire was prepared to estimate the Number of scorpion sting cases treated in private sectors, and to highlighted the main causes which prevent this sectors from reported the cases to Salfit Primary Health Care center (SPHCC). And all data was analyzed using SPSS software Version 17. Results: The results were that scorpion sting affected both sexes with more prevalence among males (53.3%) and in all age groups, The scorpion sting site were more prevalent in limbs (63.4%), The most prevalent of the patients was  from Salfit City (25%). The results show that the most scorpion stings occurred in the summer and autumn seasons (50%, 40%) respectively and most of them occurred by a scorpion of an unknown color (61.7%), Most of clinical manifestations were localized symptoms with (Class I) (63.3%). The unity- histamine (Promethazine) and corticosteroid (Dexamethasone) was drug treatments that were the most used for all cases. The results also show that  the number of cases treated in public health sectors were 60 cases during the years 2014-2015, average (30 cases yearly), and the estimated  number of cases treated in private health sectors were 643 cases during the years 2014-2015 with average (321.5 cases yearly), and (75%, 80%) of the private clinical centers included in the study received cases of scorpion stings during the years 2014-2015 respectively; (85%,95%) of these cases were not reported to the SPHCC  during the years 2014-2015 respectively. The results show the private doctors and private clinical centers didn’t reported the cases to SPHCC because of they not considered an important event and due to the weakness of the relationship between the public and private sectors. The results show that the epidemiological profile of scorpion sting cases is not yet clarified in (SPHC) and in the Public Hospital. And absence of a connecting system is between SPHCC and the Public Hospital, which led to lost data and under reporting. Limitations of Study: This study for the specific geographical area (Salfit district) to evaluate the epidemiology of 60 scorpion sting patients in the Salfit district recorded at SPHC and the Salfit public hospital for the period from 2014 to 2015. Absence of specific reports of scorpion stings lead to lack in information available. The data found to be lacking were the site of sting, the place of sting, scorpion body color or species, time from sting until assistance (TSA)(hours), and clinical manifestations. Conclusion: More studies are needed to understanding the epidemiological status of scorpion sting and to have full information about the causes of unreported cases in public health sectors but   according to this study the results show that there were gaps in the information available about scorpion stings in SPHC and in the public hospital. The results show that lack of collaboration between the private health and public health sectors and more collaboration is needed between inter-sectoral and Public Health Services.