Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding snakes and snake bite among students of industrial training institute in tribal area of Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: 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. This study was undertaken with objective of assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding snakes and snake bite among students of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in tribal area.   Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in all students of the institute to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding snakes and snake bite. Data was collected in a predesigned and pretested proforma by oral questionnaire method and was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests of significance.Results: Knowledge about identification of snakes was low. Most correctly identified snake was spectacled cobra (92.3%). Snakes are fond of milk was the most prevailing myth (60%). There was inadequate knowledge about proper first aid and treatment measures of snake bite. Participants from urban area and having higher secondary education had significantly higher knowledge, (p=0.015, p=0.025 respectively).  Conclusions: Participants had inadequate knowledge about identification of snakes with various prevailing myths. Most of the participants were not aware of proper first aid measures but all knew that the patient should be taken to a hospital. There is a need to educate rural and tribal population about snakes and about first aid and treatment measures for snake bite.