Socioeconomic aspects of snakebite in Africa and the tropics

Abstract

Snakebite remains predominantly a problem of the poor and neglected. It is an occupational disease of young agrarian farmers that occasionally results in significant morbidity, mortality, and economic loss. It kills more people than many of the earlier recognized neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Unfortunately, countries affected with snakebite are incapable of appropriately responding to the challenges it poses. Accessibility and affordability of snake antivenoms where it is most needed remains a major challenge in these countries. The intricate relationship between snakebite and poverty has been recognized. Families often spend significant part of their time and income as a result of snakebite incidents. There is need for an all-encompassing approach to address the disparities in access to effective health-care interventions for snakebite victims. Furthermore, the long-term disabilities and economic consequences should be properly addressed.