Clinical Profile of Snakebite: A Cross-sectional Study In A Upazila (Subdistrict) Health Complex, Bangladesh
Abstract:
Background: Snakebite remains a significant public health
concern in many regions of Bangladesh, particularly in
southern Chattogram. The Non communicable Disease
Control (NCDC) program under DGHS has put tremendous
efforts and motivation toward the healthcare provider at
Upazilla level to treat cases of snakebite successfully. This
study provides a comprehensive analysis of snakebite cases,
focusing on the epidemiological patterns, clinical profiles
and management observed at Lohagara Upazilla Health
Complex.
Materials & Method: Through a cross-sectional study, analysis of the
records of past two years of admitted patients was done which
elucidates the demographic characteristics, clinical
presentations, and management outcomes of snakebite
envenoming in the southern Chattogram community.
Result: A total of 202 cases of snakebite were treated
successfully, among which 63.9% were male (n=129) and
36.1% were female (n=73). The mean age was approximately
32 years (±17.40) and most were in the age group of 11-20
years (52, 25.74%). 26 (13%) cases developed local
envenoming by green-pit viper bite, whereas 6 (2.9%)
developed systemic envenoming with neurotoxicity alone
and only 1 (0.5%) had features of both neurotoxicity and
local swelling. The majority of cases had a short hospital
stay, with 171 (84.7%) cases discharged after one day.
Maximum patients (55.5%) reached the hospital within one
hour of bite. In 53.46% of cases, the species of snakes could
not be identified.
Conclusion: These findings indicate the need for targeted
public health interventions focusing on education and firstaid
training, as well as improved pre-hospital care practices
to better address snakebite incidents.