A hospital based epidemiological study of snakebite in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India
Sumana Sarkhel1, Rituparna Ghosh1, Koushik Mana1
1Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Paschim Medinipur-721102, West Bengal, India.
Insights
Snakebite is a significant public health concern in Paschim Medinipur, India. This study highlights underreporting of snakebite cases and deaths, emphasizing the need for better data collection and intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Snakebite envenoming is a critical public health issue in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India.
- The incidence and impact of snakebite are often underestimated due to underreporting and lack of comprehensive data.
- This study addresses the neglected nature of snakebite as a public health problem in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence, patterns, and outcomes of snakebite cases in Paschim Medinipur district.
- To analyze demographic factors, seasonal variations, and temporal aspects of snakebite occurrences.
- To provide a clearer picture of this neglected public health issue using available hospital data.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted using hospital-based data from 2012 to 2016.
- Data were collected from 5 Rural Hospitals and 5 Block Primary Health Centres across ten blocks of Paschim Medinipur district.
- Information gathered included victim demographics, seasonality, bite history, clinical manifestations, and time to hospital and ASV (Antisnake Venom) administration.
Main Results:
- A total of 1633 snakebite cases and 17 deaths were reported between 2012 and 2016.
- Snakebites peaked from June to September (34%), with the majority of victims aged 21-45 years.
- Males (62%) were more affected than females (38%), and the case fatality rate was 1.04%.
Conclusions:
- Snakebite remains a neglected health issue in Paschim Medinipur, exacerbated by underreporting.
- The study underscores the importance of utilizing available hospital data to understand snakebite epidemiology in high-incidence areas.
- Improved data collection and public health interventions are crucial for managing snakebite envenoming effectively.
Objective:
Snakebite is a serious medical problem in Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal, India. In the present study, hospital based data on snakebite cases and deaths were collected from 10 blocks of the district to obtain a picture of this neglected public health issue.
Methods:
Retrospective data of snakebite and deaths from 2012 to 2016 was collected from the 5 Rural hospitals (RH) and 5 Block level Primary Health Centres(BPHC) of the ten blocks of Paschim Medinipur district in a prescribed format addressing issues including the demographic factors regarding the victims, seasonal pattern, history of snakebite in previous 5 years, outcome of the bite, any reporting of death.
Results:
A total number of 1633 snakebites were reported in the study during the period of 2012-2016. The hospital data from the ten blocks reported 17 deaths due to snakebite in the given period. It was found that about 34% of the snake bites occurred from June to September. The age-wise distribution of snakebite cases show that majority of snakebite affected cases were within the age of 21-45 years. Males(62%) suffered more than the females(38%). The case fatality rate reported from the hospital based data was 1.04%. 60% of the snakebites occurred during morning to noon hours. The clinical manifestation of snakebite included regional edema in the affected limb, hypotension, malaise, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The bite to hospital time was found to be 120 ± 6.5 mins(n = 750 cases) and bite to ASV injection time was found to be 270 ± 3.5 mins(n = 750 cases).
Conclusion:
Snakebite is a neglected health issue in Paschim Medinipur district. Lack of snakebite data is due to under reporting. In the present study we have attempted to investigate the official data available on snakebite from 10 blocks of Paschim Medinipur district which has been identified for high snakebite incidence.
