Scorpionism in Sidi Okba, Algeria: a cross-sectional study of 2016 stung patients between 2014 and 2015

The present cross-sectional study aimed to highlight some epidemiological and clinical features of scorpion stings in Sidi Okba, Algeria. The 2016 designed questionnaires for stung patients admitted between January 2014 and December 2015 in the different care units affiliated to public health care establishment Sidi Okba were reviewed and analysed. The analysis revealed that scorpion stings occur mainly in rural areas (66.1%), outside dwellings (54.2%), are observed round the clock throughout the year with the highest seasonal incidence in summer (43.2%). There were approximately 11 stings per year per 1000 inhabitants. Males were more affected than females with 62.5% of recorded stings. Almost half of the victims were aged between 20 and 40 years old and the most prone human body areas to stings were the upper and lower limbs (93.7%). The majority of cases (99%) were classified as mild and systemic toxicity was observed in 19 cases including two deaths. An efficient management of scorpion envenomation requires an active involvement of the public in decision-making processes along with the development of intersectoral actions. Scorpionism, as a health issue, requires not only more attention from scholars and researchers, but also multidisciplinary scientific collaboration.