Epidemiological analysis of snakebite victims in southwestern Iran

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of snakebites and associated epidemiologic factors in Khorram-shahr County, Iran, between 2013 and 2017. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study. Information was collected and recorded via questionnaires. Snakebite data included gender, age, occurrence regions, bite site, time of being bitten, month and season. Data were analyzed by Chi-square and t-tests with SPSS version 18. Results: A total of 102 cases of snakebites occurred in Khorram-shahr County of Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran. There were 75 men (73.5%) and 27 women (26.4%), without significant difference in incidence. The highest frequency of snakebites was observed in the age group of 41-50 years with 28 cases (27.4%). In total, 58 cases (56.9%) occurred in urban areas and 44 cases (43.1%) in rural areas. No statistically significant difference was observed between the age groups or residential areas. Snakebites occurred in May with 19 cases (18.6%), spring with 45 (44.1%) and summer with 45 (44.1%). The results showed significant difference among different seasons and months of the year. Snakebites were in feet in 62 cases (60.8%) and hands in 36 cases (35.3%) which were bitten more than other organs, respectively, with significant difference among different bite sites in the body. The highest and lowest frequencies of snakebites were observed between 18:00 and 24:00 with 43 cases (42.2%) and between 6:00 and 12:00 with 14 cases (13.7%), with a significant difference among different hours of the day. Conclusions: Useful information about snakebites, venomous snakes, their hazards, prevention of bites and the importance of early hospital referral and treatment of victims should be provided to people using different educational tools.

Keywords

• snakebite
• epidemiology
• prevalence
• iran