Pattern of snakebites in two divisional secretariat divisions of the Anuradhapura district and an intervention to improve good practices following snake bite

Abstract

The incidence of snakebites as determined by the study was much higher than that suggested by hospital based morbidity data. However epidemiological features such as the type of snake, bite group affected, seasonally and circumvents of bites were similar to those reported in hospitals based studies. The practices and health seeking behavior identified have an important influence on the outcome and there were aspects that were amenable to correction. The intervention decreased the negative practices and improved the positive practices highlighting the fact that the negative practices and improved the positive practices highlighting the fact that a relatively low cost intervention in the community could make a difference