Knowledge and First Aid Practices Regarding Snake Bites An Experience of Southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Hassan Bin Usman Shah; Muhammad Ahmed Khan; Muhammad Khalid; Sumera Akram

Author(s)

Hassan Bin Usman Shah Yusra Medical and Dental College (YMDC), Islamabad, Pakistan

Muhammad Ahmed Khan CMH Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Muhammad Khalid Public Health Specialist, Islamabad, Pakistan

Sumera Akram Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge and first aid practices regarding Snake Bites in urban and rural settings of Bahawalpur. STUDY DESIGN: A Comparative cross sectional study PLACE AND DURATION: Six months, from 1st August 2015 to 1st February 2016, in the urban and rural communities of Bahawalpur and Bahawal Victoria Hospital. METHODOLOGY: A close ended validated questionnaire translated in local language was used to interview 693 participants; adopting a two-stage cluster sampling strategy. Urban and rural community knowledge on snakes, snake bites and first aid measures was assessed. RESULTS: Majority of the participants (74%) whether urban or rural residents had the impression that all the snakes are poisonous. Around 79% participants had correct knowledge about the snake bite seasons. Incorrect knowledge of first aid techniques like use of tourniquet, herbs, sucking the blood and going to the faith healers/snake charmers were more seen in the rural areas. Around 56% of the urban population had the correct knowledge of anti-snake venom. CONCLUSION: This study points to certain lacunae in the knowledge and practices on snake bite and its first aid management between urban and rural population. There is a paucity of knowledge on snakebites and its first aid management predominantly in the rural areas. Comparing urban and rural population, people living in urban areas have better knowledge.

Publication Details

Page(s) 238-243

DOI DOI not available

Published Journal: Isra Medical Journal, Volume: 9, Issue: 4, Year: 2017

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