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Snakebite Antisnake venom (ASV) epidemiology Taraba Plateau Rural communities.
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Main Article Content
Prevalence of snakebites in Taraba and Plateau States of Nigeria
Abstract
Snakebite is a public health problem that plagues many rural communities in Nigeria. The full extent is hardly known due to outright unavailability of adequate medical records to indicate the incidence, mortality and morbidity
in any state in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to outline the epidemiological profile of snakebites in the middle belt region of Nigeria, using Plateau and Taraba States as a case study. Records of 917 cases of snakebites from eight secondary health facilities, spread across the two states were collected retrospectively, covering January 1999 to December 2003. The data (age, sex and occupation of victims, monthly variation in incidence and prevalence) were extracted. This was analyzed using chi-square test and simple percentages. The results showed that the average male to female preponderance ratio was 2.1:1. Adults between the ages of 15 and 44 years accounted for 62.9% (n=592) of all cases. 41.1% (n=340) of victims were farmers. The average case fatality rate was 13.7% (n=126); with 19.1% (n=64) for Plateau State. The highest incidence of 40.4 bites per 100000 per year occurred in Taraba State. Polyvalent antisnake venom (ASV) was given to all the patients managed. Snake bite is endemic in these areas and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality among the indigenous population.
in any state in Nigeria. This study was undertaken to outline the epidemiological profile of snakebites in the middle belt region of Nigeria, using Plateau and Taraba States as a case study. Records of 917 cases of snakebites from eight secondary health facilities, spread across the two states were collected retrospectively, covering January 1999 to December 2003. The data (age, sex and occupation of victims, monthly variation in incidence and prevalence) were extracted. This was analyzed using chi-square test and simple percentages. The results showed that the average male to female preponderance ratio was 2.1:1. Adults between the ages of 15 and 44 years accounted for 62.9% (n=592) of all cases. 41.1% (n=340) of victims were farmers. The average case fatality rate was 13.7% (n=126); with 19.1% (n=64) for Plateau State. The highest incidence of 40.4 bites per 100000 per year occurred in Taraba State. Polyvalent antisnake venom (ASV) was given to all the patients managed. Snake bite is endemic in these areas and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality among the indigenous population.
