02971nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260004400042653002400086653005700110100001400167700001300181700001400194700001300208700001200221700001500233700001400248700001400262700001500276700001100291700001300302245014100315856008500456490000700541520213100548022001402679       2022                            d  bSpringer Science and Business Media LLC10aInfectious Diseases10aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health1 aLarson PS1 aNdemwa M1 aThomas AF1 aTamari N1 aDiela P1 aChangoma M1 aMohamed A1 aLarson MC1 aKetenci KC1 aGoto K1 aKaneko S00aSnakebite victim profiles and treatment-seeking behaviors in two regions of Kenya: results from a health demographic surveillance system  uhttps://tropmedhealth.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s41182-022-00421-8.pdf0 v503 a<p>Introduction</p>

<p>Snakebites are a major cause of permanent injury and death among poor, rural populations in developing countries, including those in East Africa. This research characterizes snakebite incidence, risk factors, and subsequent health-seeking behaviors in two regions of Kenya using a mixed methods approach.</p>

<p>Methods</p>

<p>As a part of regular activities of a health demographic surveillance system, household-level survey on snakebite incidence was conducted in two areas of Kenya: Kwale along the Kenyan Coast and Mbita on Lake Victoria. If someone in the home was reported to have been bitten in the 5 years previous to the visit, a survey instrument was administered. The survey gathered contextual information on the bite, treatment-seeking behavior and clinical manifestations. To obtain deeper, contextual information, respondents were also asked to narrate the bite incident, subsequent behavior and outcomes.</p>

<p>Results</p>

<p>8775 and 9206 households were surveyed in Kwale and Mbita, respectively. Out of these, 453 (5.17%) and 92 (1.00%) households reported that at least one person had been bitten by a snake in the past 5 years. Deaths from snakebites were rare (4.04%), but patterns of treatment seeking varied. Treatment at formal care facilities were sought for 50.8% and at traditional healers for 53.3%. 18.4% sought treatment from both sources. Victims who delayed receiving treatment from a formal facility were more likely to have consulted a traditional healer (OR 8.8995% CI [3.83, 20.64]). Delays in treatment seeking were associated with significantly increased odds of having a severe outcome, including death, paralysis or loss of consciousness (OR 3.47 95% CI [1.56; 7.70]).</p>

<p>Conclusion</p>

<p>Snakebite incidence and outcomes vary by region in Kenya, and treatment-seeking behaviors are complex. Work needs to be done to better characterize the spatial distribution of snakebite incidence in Kenya and efforts need to be made to ensure that victims have sufficient access to effective treatments to prevent death and serious injury.</p>
  a1349-4147