EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CANINE BITES FOR THE YEAR 2011 IN THE CITY OF TEMUCO, CHILE

Abstract

The accidents caused by bites of dogs and cats are a problem of public health and specifically the dog's bites constitute the most serious risk that these animals suppose for the health of the persons. To the economic costs derived from the treatment of the physical injuries we must add the psychological aftermath that often appear after the aggressions. The prevention is the only way to solve this problem and itcan be carried out better when there are known the diverse factors involved in the genesis of this type of accident. Due to previousthe target of the study was to describe the epidemiologic characteristics associated with the persons bitten by dogs.The methodology used for the compilation of information was the application of a survey to 9 welfare centers of the city of Temuco. There was requested information about patients attended by canine bites during the year 2011 and the gathered information was deposited in a calculations chart. The results indicate that children and adults present 52 % of the bites during the year. The men present a major incidence with 47 % in contrast to the women with 44 %. With regard to the affected corporal region the top members reach 25 % of frequency before the attack and the low members 31.3 %. On the other hand, the bites for dogs presented pronounced seasonal nature in the summer months with 30% of cases. One concludes that the canine bites are a frequent problem and of real importance in the public health ambience, generating in the population physical and psychological aftermath for the injuries generated during the attack.