Snakebite and its socio-economic impact on the rural population of Tamil Nadu, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Snakebite represents a significant health issue worldwide, affecting several million people each year with as many as 95,000 deaths. India is considered to be the country most affected, but much remains unknown about snakebite incidence in this country, its socio-economic impact and how snakebite management could be improved.

Methods/principal findings

We conducted a study within rural villages in Tamil Nadu, India, which combines a household survey (28,494 people) of snakebite incidence with a more detailed survey of victims in order to understand the health and socio-economic effects of the bite, the treatments obtained and their views about future improvements. Our survey suggests that snakebite incidence is higher than previously reported. 3.9% of those survey

SUBMITTER: Vaiyapuri S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3836953 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature