SAFETYLIT WEEKLY UPDATE

We compile citations and summaries of about 400 new articles every week.
RSS Feed

HELP: Tutorials | FAQ
CONTACT US: Contact info

Search Results

Journal Article

Citation

Darshani S, Gnanathasan A, Arambepola C, Chang T. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1093/trstmh/trab112

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka is one of the highest envenoming reporting countries globally with >80 000 snakebites per year. Among other factors, knowledge of snakebite among doctors predominantly determines patient outcomes.

METHODS: Using a pretested 72-item self-administered questionnaire, we assessed knowledge on identifying common snake species, signs of envenoming and management of venomous snakebites among 280 doctors working in eight state hospitals in regions where snakebite prevalence is highest in Sri Lanka.

RESULTS: Visually, 92.1% correctly identified a cobra and 74.3% identified a Russell's viper, but only 30% could identify a hump-nosed viper (HNV). Syndromic identification of snakes was best for the krait (71.8%) followed by the cobra (59.6%), but poor for the HNV (30%). The median knowledge scores of pictorial and syndromic snake identification, indoor preventive measures and indications of antivenom were <75% of the maximum score. Apart from 62.5% who expected the victim to bring the snake along to the hospital, most doctors selected the correct options of pre-hospital care. The duration of work experience did not influence the competency of syndromic identification. Utilisation of local guidelines was associated with better knowledge in antivenom usage (odds ratio 2.22 [95% confidence interval 1.04 to 5.36]; p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Specific deficiencies of core knowledge in snakebite management exist among doctors working in snakebite prevalent regions.


Language: en

Keywords

Sri Lanka; knowledge; snakebite; envenoming

NEW SEARCH


All SafetyLit records are available for automatic download to Zotero & Mendeley
Print