Knowledge and practices related to snakebite prevention, China: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Snakebites pose a significant public health concern globally.
• Understanding community knowledge and practices is vital for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current knowledge and practices related to snakebite prevention among residents in China.
• To identify demographic factors influencing snakebite knowledge and practices.

Main Methods:

• A large-scale survey was conducted using multistage random sampling combined with snowball sampling across 10 provinces in China.
• Data collection was supplemented by a national online survey.
• Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and multifactor logistic regression to identify influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Over 55,000 valid responses were obtained from both face-to-face and online surveys.
• Only 25.7% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of snakebites, and 25.6% knew basic first aid or preventive behaviors.
• Demographic factors such as age, marital status, education, occupation, residence type, and nature exposure significantly influenced knowledge and practices.

Conclusions:

• A substantial deficit in snakebite knowledge, first aid, and preventive behaviors exists among Chinese residents.
• Inadequate knowledge and misguided practices can impede effective medical treatment.
• Enhanced health education on snakes and snakebites is urgently needed for this population.