A CLINICO- EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF SNAKE BITE AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Noorussaba Arfeen, S K Astik, U S Prasad

Abstract


Background: Snake bite has been recognised as a major public health problem. Objective: The present work was conducted for the purpose of evaluating snake bite with reference to its clinic-epidemiological profile. Material and Methods: The present work was designed as a tertiary urban hospital based, observational, clinico-epidemiological study during the period from June 2018 to May 2019. Results: Out of 76 patients, maximum no. of patients (n=37, 48.68%) bitten were in the age-group of 20-40 years. Maximum incidence of snake bite was found in farmers (79.48%, n=62). Males (67.10%, n=51) were bitten more. Out of 76 patients, 37 patients (47.43%) had non-poisonous snake bites and 39 patients (52.57%) had poisonous snake bites. Neurotoxic bite was seen in 34 patients (43.58%).  Fifty-two patients (66.67%) came with tourniquet application as first aid.  Eleven cases (14.10%) had received non-medical treatment before admission. In the present study, 12 (15.38%) patients were admitted within first 6 hours and forty two (53.84%) patients were admitted within the first 24 hrs. Ptosis (100%) was the commonest and earliest manifestation of neuroparalytic snake bite.  Commonest vasotoxic snake bite manifestation was local bleed (71.42%, n=5) followed by cellulitis (57.14%). Conclusions: The present study offers insight into the current status of the snake bite. Population awareness programs regarding prevention, first-aid and the importance of the early transfers to be emphasized.


Keywords


Snake bite, clinic-epidemiological study

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