02424nas a2200325   4500000000100000008004100001653003900042653001400081653002600095653002100121653001000142653001900152100001600171700001600187700001400203700001500217700002100232700001400253700001500267700001700282700001300299700001400312700001700326245009000343856009700433300001100530490000600541520153700547022001402084       2013                            d10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10asnakebite10aSocio-economic impact10aRural Population10aIndia10asocioeconomics1 aVaiyapuri S1 aVaiyapuri R1 aAshokan R1 aRamasamy K1 aNattamaisundar K1 aJeyaraj A1 aChandran V1 aGajjeraman P1 aBaksh FM1 aGibbins J1 aHutchinson G00aSnakebite and its socio-economic impact on the rural population of Tamil Nadu, India.  uhttp://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0080090&type=printable  ae800900 v83 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>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.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: </strong>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 surveyed had suffered from snakebite and the number of deaths corresponds to 0.45% of the population. The socio-economic impact of this is very considerable in terms of the treatment costs and the long-term effects on the health and ability of survivors to work. To reduce this, the victims recommended improvements to the accessibility and affordability of antivenom treatment.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Snakebite has a considerable and disproportionate impact on rural populations, particularly in South Asia. This study provides an incentive for researchers and the public to work together to reduce the incidence and improve the outcomes for snake bite victims and their families.</p>
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