A STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS ON SNAKES AND SNAKE BITE MANAGEMENT AMONG PUBLIC IN SARLAHI DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

Introduction: Snake bite is a very common problem in rural Nepal which even today leads to a large number of deaths.

Objective: To find out the knowledge, attitude and awareness regarding snake bite and to measure the association between socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge and attitude regarding snake bites among residents of Sarlahi district.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of Sarlahi District where 303 individuals were taken as subjects. Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The Chi-square test was applied to measure the association between socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge and attitude regarding snake bites in Sarlahi District.

Results: Almost 51.2% of the participants could identify snake. Regarding first aid measures, majority of the respondents (95.4%) apply tourniquet, rinse the wound with water (78.2%) and make local incision (91.7%). Majority of the respondents (71.9%) would take the victim to hospital for further management immediately. Majority of the participants had good knowledge (61.7%) and attitude (92.4%) about snake bite. The study population with aged above 60 years (100%), male (66.5%), Chhetri(72.7%), SLC and above (63.4%), and living in kaccha house (63.9%) was seen good knowledge, and aged above 60 years (100%), female (93.4%), and Brahmin (98.1%) was seen good attitude regarding snake bite management (p>0.05). The respondents living in kaccha house (94%) was seen significantly good attitude regarding snake bite management (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Majority of the participants had good knowledge and attitude about snake bite management. The participants were aware to minimize snake bites and first aid measures.