Abstract
Background: A snakebite is a neglected extrinsic injury associated with high morbidity and global mortality. Members of Chinese field forces are at high risk of snakebites, and their perception and knowledge of snakebites are unknown. The aim of this study is to assess perception and knowledge of snakebites in field forces in southeast China; Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in July 2016. A total of 216 field force members participated in this study; Results: A total of 10.3% had experienced snakebites and 86.4% rated their demands for knowledge about snakebite as “high”. No significant correlation between the actual and perceived snakebite knowledge status was detected (κ = 0.0237, p = 0.3852). Ineffective and harmful traditional first-aid methods, such as the application of tourniquets, sucking the venom out of the wound, and making local incisions, were used by more than three quarters of the respondents. However, pressure immobilization bandages were applied by only 17.3% of members. The proportion of responses for each question was not significantly different among the respondents when considering separate demographic groups; Conclusions: Snakebite knowledge among Chinese field force members is inadequate and in some cases misleading, when focusing on manifestation, prevention, and first-aid. A pragmatic, intensive educational scheme should be undertaken in at-risk populations.
Highlights
Snakebites are a serious and important medical problem, especially in rural areas of tropical and subtropical developing countries, having been considered by the World Health Organization (WHO)as a neglected extrinsic injury [1,2]
A large group of them realized the necessity of gaining knowledge and noted the demand for more information, which implies that there is a need to provide more data relating to snakebites, to those military personnel
Our results showed that the snakebite knowledge of field force members mainly arose from military medical education, indicating that a well-designed and comprehensive medical training program, combined with updating international guidelines, should be implemented in order to convey the appropriate messages
Summary
Snakebites are a serious and important medical problem, especially in rural areas of tropical and subtropical developing countries, having been considered by the World Health Organization (WHO)as a neglected extrinsic injury [1,2]. Since snake venoms are the most complex of all natural venoms and poisons, venomous snakebites may cause severe local and systemic symptoms and signs, including tissue damage, generalized myotoxicity, systemic hemorrhage, and acute kidney injury [2,3]. A snakebite is a neglected extrinsic injury associated with high morbidity and global mortality. Members of Chinese field forces are at high risk of snakebites, and their perception and knowledge of snakebites are unknown. The aim of this study is to assess perception and knowledge of snakebites in field forces in southeast China; Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in July 2016. A total of 216 field force members participated in this study; Results: A total of 10.3% had experienced snakebites and 86.4% rated their demands for knowledge about snakebite as “high”. Pressure immobilization bandages were applied by only 17.3% of members
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