Awareness of the Standard of Care for Snakebite Management Among Physicians in Kerala: A Cross-sectional Study

• Published in: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene Vol. 105; no. 2; pp. 528 - 531
• Main Authors: Pillay, Roshni, Rathish, Balram, Pillay, V V, Mukthar, Faiz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Institute of Tropical Medicine 01.08.2021; The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Antivenins - administration & dosage; Cross-Sectional Studies; Education, Medical; Female; First Aid; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; India; Knowledge; Male; Physicians; Questionnaires; Snake Bites - therapy; Snakes; Standard of Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; India
• ISSN: 0002-9637; 1476-1645
• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0114

Snakebite remains a largely neglected yet important cause of morbidity as well as mortality in Kerala. This study aimed to assess the knowledge about the standard of care for snakebite management among physicians in Kerala. This was a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire-based survey among 110 physicians from Kerala. The overall knowledge levels were assessed using a questionnaire with answers being scored as 0 for wrong answers and as 1 for correct answers. The total knowledge scores for all respondents were calculated, with a maximum possible score of 14 and a minimum possible score of 0. Comparisons were made between subsets of respondents. The questionnaire was administered to 110 physicians who fulfilled the predetermined criteria. The overall mean knowledge score during the study was 10.7 (standard deviation ± 2.9). However, there were certain pitfalls associated with the management of snakebite. In particular, questions about tourniquet use, bringing a dead snake to the physician, and the anti-snake venom test dose had high proportions of incorrect answers. Significantly higher knowledge levels were also observed in certain subgroups. There seems to be varying knowledge gaps associated with various aspects of snakebite management for certain subsets of respondents who are likely to benefit from specific training.