Dog Bite Accidents to Children in Rosario City, Santa Fe: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Dog bite accidents (DBA) are a growing problem in public health. Rosario is the most populated city in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina, and is divided in six districts. OBJECTIVES: To demographically characterize the risk of DBA in children younger than 15 years of age during 2012-2013 and to characterize injured areas of the body. METHODS: A retrospective analytical observational study was carried out based on records from the Anti-Rabies Institute of Carrasco Hospital, Rosario, a regional reference center for DBA. Cumulative incidences of DBA in the period 2012-2013 were determined for 1000 children (CI2012-2013/1000), considering age groups and the districts of Rosario. The ratios of CI2012-2013/1000 were calculated and adjusted as appropriate. RESULTS: Males were almost twice as likely to have DBA as females. As the age group decreased, the chance of DBA increased. The districts of Rosario city showed marked differences for DBA probability, with the West being the most vulnerable. A significant correlation was found between age groups and injured areas of the body. CONCLUSIONS: Subpopulation differences were found in the demographic variables studied for DBA, which should be taken into account in order to implement prevention strategies