Abstract

CARVALHO, Wladithe Organ de; SOARES, Dorotéia Fátima Pelissari de Paula  and  FRANCESCHI, Vânia Cristina Sanchez. Characteristics of attendance rendered by public health services in Maringá-Paraná in 1997 to prevent human rabies. Inf. Epidemiol. Sus [online]. 2002, vol.11, n.1, pp.25-35. ISSN 0104-1673.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S0104-16732002000100004.

Rabies represents an important problem of public health in Brazil and, even in states where it is under control, surveillance activities are fundamental. The objective of this study was to describe and evaluate some aspects of the assistance provided by health services to people attacked by animals capable of transmitting rabies, in Maringá-Paraná, in 1997. The study variables were obtained from the health care records registered in the Information System of Compulsory Notification Health Events. The assistance is decentralized and provided by public health services. With the present study it was possible to identify problems regarding the quality of records and in the process of information feedback to reference health services for vaccination activities. The results are compatible with the epidemiological situation of rabies in Paraná State. The largest proportion of health assistance was provided to male individuals under 15 years, with superficial wounds in lower extremities or hands. Dogs were identified as the main aggressors, being healthy at the moment of the attack, but not vaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. The conduct of exclusive observation of the animal was the most common approach. The rate of incomplete vaccination was 4%. Constant supervision, training of health professionals and, health education of the population, are measures of fundamental importance even when the disease is under control.

Keywords : Human Rabies; Prevention and Control; Epidemiologic Surveillance.

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