EXPERIENCE OF SNAKE BITE CASES IN HAZARA DIVISION, KP, PAKISTAN

• Published in: Gomal journal of medical sciences Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 143
• Main Authors: Abdul Rauf, Adnan, Saqib Malik, Haider Zaman, Saima Gilani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Knowledge Bylanes 30-09-2017; Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, Pakistan
• Subjects: Analysis; Bites (Injuries); Prevalence studies (Epidemiology); public health; snake bites; venoms; Pakistan
• ISSN: 1819-7973; 1997-2067

Background: Snake bite is one of the important public health problems. The objective of the study was to assess the demographic and clinical features of snake bite patients. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from July, 2016 to June, 2017. Sample size was 52 selected through consecutive sampling technique. Demographic variables were sex, age, residence, districts and months. Research variables were site of snake bite, presence of fang marks, snake eye witnessed, time period to reach hospital, signs and symptoms, complications, anti-snake venom (ASV) administration, length of hospital stay and incidence of death. Data being categorical was analyzed by SPSS-16 as count and percentages and numeric by mean and SD. Results: Among 52 patients, 57.70% were male. Patients belonging to rural area were 96.15%. Mean age was 30 years and mean hospital stay was two days. The modal site of snake bite was foot and ankle in 42.30%. Fang marks were seen in 76.92% and snake was eye witnessed in 73.07%. Bleeding complications were seen in 30.76% patients, Four patients died. Conclusion: Snake bite is common in young males from Mansehra, especially in July and August. Foot and legs were most common area receiving bite with fang marks and snake eye witness in majority of cases. Swelling, pain and tenderness were the most common signs and symptoms with bleeding as common complication. Half of the patients reached hospital in 6 hours. Mortality is significantly high in victims who presented after 48 hours of the bite.