A STUDY ON SNAKE BITE IN BORDER BELT AREA OF DISTRICT GURDASPUR, PUNJAB

Author Name: 1. Ramandeep Kaur Bajwa, 2. Dr Preksha Sharma, 3. Dr Sushil Kumar Maheshwari, 4. Dr. Kamaljeet Kaur

Volume/Issue: 06/04

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/09.2025-16443959/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Ph.D Scholar, Nursing Officer/Nursing Tutor, GNM School of Nursing, Gurdaspur, Punjab.
2. Associate Professor, University College of Nursing, BFUHS, Faridkot, Punjab.
3. Associate Professor, College of Nursing, IHBAS, Delhi.
4. Professor, Mata Gujri College of Nursing, Jalandhar.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Snake bite remains major public health problem worldwide. Snake bite is an important public health issue and an occupational hazard in India often faced by farmers and villagers. Most vulnerable are people in rural and tribal area but they are poorly informed about the snake bite. Therefore aim of the study was to assess clinical features and first aid practices and myths regarding snake bite among people of border belt district Gurdaspur. Methods: The quantitative descriptive research approach with cross sectional study design was used to assess the clinical features and first aid practices regarding snake bite among. patients admitted to a secondary care hospital CHC Kalanaur from 2023 to 2024. Most of the patients came during the month of April to October. The close ended validated questionnaire translated to local language was used to interview 60 participants. The details regarding age, gender, first aid received or not, emergency care management and ASV (Anti Snake Venom) administration, site of snake bite, clinical features at the time of presentation, local examination findings at the site of bite, duration of hospital stay, need for elective ventilation, details of investigations and outcome was reviewed. Results: The result of the study shows that majority (60%) of the patient were from the age group 31-40 years. Majority (93.33) of them were male and only (6.66) of them were females. Majority (93.33%) of the patients were having occupation as farmer. All (100%) of the patients belong from rural habitat and majority (80%) of the patients were having snake bite at lower limb. None of them were having sign and symptoms like haemorrhage, pulse>100 and cellulites. Few (6.66%) of them was having symptoms like Ptosis and altered sensorium during emergency admission. Half (50%) of the patients have symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Only (6.66%) of the patients have undergone Anti Snake Venom (ASV) treatment. Conclusions: 100 % of the patients had used tourniquets as first aid practice. Awareness should be provided that tight tourniquets should not be applied as it may cause gangrenous limbs.

Key words: Snake Bite, clinical features, First aid practices and Myths.