Epidemiology of animal injuries: A community based study from rural area of Maharashtra.

Abstract

Background: Animal injury is being discussed globally for the reason of increased morbidities and mortalities along with challenges faced in its treatment. In India, the most of the animal injuries were treated (like snake bite, dog bite) at Government hospital due to non-availability of medicines at local medical stores. Pubmed search revealed no information on animal injuries from India. Understanding the above facts, this study was conducted with objective to understand the prevalence and patterns of animal injuries from the rural area of Maharashtra. Methods: It was descriptive cross-sectional, community based study, a conducted in all 24 villages under Primary Health Centre, Kharangana (Gode), dist. Wardha. The study was carried out from June 2009 to May 2011. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, proportion & different types of animal injury by using pre-tested interview schedule through the house to house visit. Recall period of one year was used. Result: In the present study, the total 4790 subjects of all age were studied from 1100 families. Magnitude of animal injury was 84 (1.8%). The highest proportion (56%) of animal injury was in 25-59 years of age followed by 16.7% in < 14 years. Proportion of animal injury was (67%) among males as compared to (33%) females & the association of age distribution & animal injury was not statistically significant but significant association was found among gender & animal injury. Dog bite was the most common type of animal injury 33 (39.2%), followed by snake bites 20 (23.8%). Conclusion: We found dog bite and snake bites are major cause of animal injuries from rural area and mainly found in the productive age group of male population. There is need of community based research on types & impacts of different animal injuries in lower & middle income countries.