A comprehensive epidemiological study of Snake bites in a tertiary care hospital in Bhubaneswar, India

Abstract

This prospective hospital-based study spanned from September 2015 to September 2017, encompassing all patients, regardless of age or gender, presenting with a history of snake bite. Among the 169 recorded cases, comprising 116 males (68.7%) and 53 females (31.3%), with a mean age of 32±12 years, the male-to-female ratio stood at 2.2:1. Predominantly hailing from rural locales (67.5%), individuals engaged in agricultural pursuits formed the most susceptible occupational group (48.5%). Outdoor incidents accounted for the majority of bites (62.7%), with over half of the incidents (52.1%) involving unidentified snake species. Among identified venomous snakes, Elapidae and Viperidae constituted 15.4% and 13.0%, respectively. The third quarter of the year saw the highest incidence of cases (67.4%), with peak occurrences between 6:00 PM and 12:00 midnight (30.2%). Lower limbs were the most frequent site of bites (69.2%), with common manifestations including fright (85.2%) and localized pain (57.9%). Treatment predominantly involved anti-snake venom (ASV) administration (81.1%), resulting in a high survival rate (92%).