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Assessing knowledge and awareness regarding snakebite and management of snakebite envenoming in healthcare workers and the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis [1]

['Afsana Afroz', 'Australian Venom Research Unit', 'Department Of Biochemistry', 'Pharmacology', 'Faculty Of Medicine', 'Dentistry', 'Health Sciences', 'University Of Melbourne', 'Melbourne', 'Bodrun Naher Siddiquea']

Date: 2023-02

Abstract Background Snakebite envenoming is a serious and life-threatening medical condition that predominantly affects people living in rural communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As our climate changes, there is a growing concern that negative human–snake interactions will increase. Our ability to prevent and manage snakebite requires effective antivenoms as well as knowledge regarding the prevention and management of snakebite among healthcare workers and affected communities across the globe. This systematic review aims to assess existing levels of knowledge regarding snakebite prevention and management in both healthcare workers and affected communities. Methods This review was conducted on studies reporting quantitative measurements to evaluate knowledge and practice regarding snakebite prevention and management published in major databases between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2021. Random effects modelling was used to obtain the pooled proportion. Heterogeneity (I2) was tested, and sensitivity analyses performed. Results Out of 3,697 records, 16 studies from 12 countries assessing 7,640 participants were included. Four of the studies were ranked as good quality studies, 9 as fair, and 3 as poor. This study results demonstrated that 56% of the study population answered the knowledge question correctly (95% CI 48% to 63%, p < 0.001). High heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 97.29%), with marginal publication bias (Egger’s regression test, p = 0.0814). Participants had relatively higher knowledge concerning use of antivenom as preferred treatment, followed by snakebite prevention, knowledge of signs and symptoms of snakebite, knowledge of first-aid, and knowledge of treatment. Participants had lower knowledge relating to types of snakes and the identification of snakes. Conclusion Adequate knowledge about snakebites and its management among the general population and healthcare workers was 56%. Healthcare workers and communities across Asia showed higher relative knowledge compared to those in Africa and the Middle East. These data suggest that further education is needed in both the general population and among healthcare workers to ensure that appropriate preventative and patient management techniques are being utilised in snakebite endemic regions. Greater local awareness of the risks and appropriate management of snakebite is required to reduce the burden of snakebite mortality and morbidity.

Citation: Afroz A, Siddiquea BN, Shetty AN, Jackson TNW, Watt AD (2023) Assessing knowledge and awareness regarding snakebite and management of snakebite envenoming in healthcare workers and the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 17(2): e0011048. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011048 Editor: Wuelton M. Monteiro, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, BRAZIL Published: February 9, 2023 Copyright: © 2023 Afroz et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data Availability: All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Funding: AA, TNWJ, and ADW are funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (nhmrc.gov.au: Grant ID 13/093/002 AVRU). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction Snakebite is an ecological phenomenon. Snakes bite either to defend themselves from a potential predator or to secure a meal. Human snakebite, therefore, is either defensive, or a case of mistaken identity [1]. Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that may result in a life-threatening pathology. The burden of snakebite envenoming varies dramatically between regions and disproportionately impacts rural communities in tropical regions of the Global South, particularly Africa, Asia, and Latin America [2–4]. This uneven distribution of the impacts of envenoming are hypothesised to result from occupational practises (e.g., non-mechanised, low-cost farming), poorly constructed houses, and low access to protective clothing (i.e., covered footwear and long pants) that characterise human life in lower socioeconomic rural settings [5–7]. Such practices increase the likelihood of human–snake interaction resulting in snakebite, and the impact on these communities is further compounded by the limited access to healthcare and the untenably high cost of treatment [8], which acts to further exacerbate the poverty cycle. Recent estimates suggest that between 1.8 to 2.7 million people are envenomed by snakes each year resulting in annual deaths of between 81,000 and 138,000 [6,9,10]. Of those that do survive the initial bite, an estimated 400,000 individuals are left with permanent disfigurement or disability [8]. However, accurate information on the true scale of snakebite in impacted regions has proven difficult to obtain [11]. The lack of mandatory reporting on snakebite envenoming coupled with a historical reluctance of some governments to report accurate data have made it difficult to properly resource and respond to snakebite as a regional health issue. In Nepal, where 90% of the population lives in rural areas, only 480 snake bites and 22 deaths were reported by the Ministry, whereas a community-based study of Eastern Nepal alone reported 4,078 bites and 396 deaths [12]. Similar discrepancies between official and community-reported data have also been observed in India, where a community-based study reported between 40,900 to 50,900 snakebites in 2005, a figure almost 30 times higher than official government numbers [8]. Traditional antivenoms, comprising horse or other animal-derived immunoglobulins, have been the leading treatment for snakebite envenoming for more than a century [6]. These medicines are produced using techniques that have subsequently changed little, besides the refining of methods of inoculation and purification. While the World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for improved standard operating procedures of antivenom manufacture [13], it is also important to assess current levels of awareness in both community groups and healthcare professionals regarding how best to prevent and manage snakebite. Survival following snakebite envenoming is significantly improved by the rapid application of first aid, such as pressure immobilisation bandages, and the administration of life saving antivenoms to neutralise the venom toxins. This dual phase management of snakebite requires both a public aware of local venomous snake species and appropriate snakebite first aid measures and local hospitals with knowledgeable clinicians and readily available and appropriate medicines. Despite the importance of basic knowledge and awareness concerning snakebite envenoming, multiple studies have found that many healthcare workers in snakebite endemic regions have poor general knowledge of the snakebite crisis [14]. A study by Michael and colleagues reported that doctors in Nigeria had poor knowledge of venomous snakes, snakebite first aid, treatment, and prevention [2]. Similar gaps in baseline knowledge and treatment confidence regarding snakebite patient management were found in doctors across Hong Kong [15], Laos [16], Nepal, and West Bengal [17,18], with the authors of some studies noting that core textbooks regarding snakebite patient management were outdated and provided inaccurate information [18,19]. Among the general population, including at-risk sectors of the population that work outdoors such as farmers, plantation workers, and herdsmen, knowledge of snakebite and appropriate responses are often limited [20,21]. Use of traditional methods such as making incisions, sucking the venom, and application of tight tourniquets [22,23], relying on witchcraft and traditional healers [24], and use of tourniquets [25,26] remain the most commonly used first-aid among general population especially in the rural communities in developing countries. On the other hand, adequate knowledge of snakes, their habits, and the timely and appropriate first-aid can reduce the likelihood and consequences of snakebite among people at high risk of coming into contact with snakes [27]. Socioeconomic and cultural factors influence treatment-seeking behaviours and may lead to individuals bitten by snakes opting for traditional practices rather than hospital care. A lack of money or transportation, or distrust of “Western medicine,” may influence a decision to attend hospital. Compounding this lack of confidence, staff at many health centres are insufficiently trained to treat snakebites, and even if the drug is on hand, it may be too expensive for many victims [28]. Additionally, many antivenoms need to be kept refrigerated to stay stable and effective [6]. In low-resource settings with frequent power cuts, even in cities, keeping them cold can be nearly impossible. Families may seek help instead from a traditional healer, who may apply leaves or ash from burned animal bones, or tie a tourniquet around the bitten limb, which can dangerously restrict blood flow [29]. Some botanical treatments do ease pain and reduce swelling, but they cannot save a victim’s life [29]. The entry into some markets of inappropriate, untested, or even fake antivenom products has further undermined confidence in antivenom therapy generally. It seems reasonable to conjecture that the burden of snakebite morbidity and mortality may be reduced by a combination of appropriate use of medicines and equipment, adequate training of healthcare workers, and increased awareness of appropriate health-seeking behaviour among the at-risk population. It is thus crucial to gain an understanding of the level of knowledge of the general population and healthcare workers in managing a patient. There is a paucity of data concerning the domain-level knowledge of snakes and snakebite awareness and management in impacted communities and their healthcare workers. This systematic review will draw upon recent studies (selected according to criteria discussed in the Methods section) to assess the level of knowledge regarding prevention and management (outcome) of snakebite among healthcare workers and members of at-risk communities (population).

Discussion Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that places a significant burden on many countries across South and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Australasia [11,44]. Combatting snakebite requires not only access to lifesaving antivenoms, but also communities and health systems that have the knowledge required to prevent and manage venomous snakebites. As snakebite envenoming is an ecological disease, we may speak of the production and distribution of effective antivenoms combining with knowledge of snakes and snakebite to constitute an “ecology of practice”—a composite “tool”—for mitigating the burden of this NTD [45]. This systematic review investigated community and healthcare worker knowledge and awareness on snakebite prevention and management with a view to gaining an understanding of the status of this ecology of practice in affected communities. Knowledge included signs and symptoms of snakebite, first-aid, treatment, antivenom, and preventive measures that lead to the health-seeking behaviour of the general population and the management procedure of the healthcare providers. Data were compiled from 16 studies across 12 countries or territories, reporting 7,640 participants’ knowledge of snakebite, its treatment and management. The proportion of adequate knowledge was highest among participants from Asia (60%) compared to Africa (49%) and the Middle East (47%). All the studies included in this systematic review were from low and lower-middle-income countries in the tropical and equatorial regions of the world. No study from high-income countries met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, though it is noted that some parts of North America [46,47] and Australasia [11,48] are prone to snakebite envenoming and fatality. The study demonstrated a pooled adequate knowledge score of 56% among the study population. However, to account for the differences in how the included studies assessed knowledge of snakebite management and mitigation, we also undertook a pooled assessment of adequate knowledge. This enabled more direct comparison and encompassed 6 selective knowledge domains: antivenom as the preferred treatment, overall treatment, symptoms of snakebite, first-aid, snake identification/types, and prevention. When the pooled adequate knowledge for the total of domains was calculated, it was found to be higher (60%) compared to the overall pooled knowledge score of 56%. Participants had relatively high knowledge of snakebite prevention (73%), though lower knowledge of specific snake species and how to identify them (54%). Knowledge of how to effectively prevent snakebite is fundamental to reducing the morbidity and mortality of envenoming in snakebite endemic regions. Preventative measures are most effective when they consider the local context in which snakebites occur. This includes the circumstances of how most venomous bites occur, where venomous species are likely to be encountered and what times of the day, night, or year they’re most active. For example, in south Asia, venomous kraits (Bungarus spp.) bite almost exclusively at night when people are sleeping on the ground in their homes [49]. In these areas, sleeping under mosquito nets considerably reduce the risk of nocturnal bites [50]. Sleeping on raised beds has also shown some promise in preventing snakebites [51]. In other snakebite endemic regions, the use of long pants and closed footwear is thought to be an effective strategy for preventing snakebites [51,52]. Again, such context-specific knowledge highlights the importance of adopting an ecological or contextual “stance”: community education focused on reducing the risk of bites via the cultivation of an ecology of practice likely offers an effective means of mitigating or reducing the impact of snakebite in these areas [53]. Such measures are also key to ensuring that local snake populations are not negatively impacted by their proximity to human communities. Snakes remain an important part of the local ecology and act to control rodent populations that are often detrimental to local agriculture and human health. In the studies reviewed, knowledge regarding snakebite prevention was relatively high among both the general population (79%) and healthcare workers (68%). These findings were in line with previous studies conducted among doctors and communities in snakebite prevalent countries [2,40]. However, it is worth highlighting that there are no controlled studies investigating either the adequacy of the questions posed to participants in the studies—i.e., whether or not success in answering them translates into real-world knowledge of snakebite prevention—or indeed whether such knowledge in fact results in a reduction of snakebite incidents. Much research remains to be conducted in this area. Effective first aid and treatment methods are essential to reduce the mortality and morbidity of snakebite patients. According to the WHO, appropriate first aid involves moving the person away from the area where the bite occurred, remove constricting clothing and jewellery, immobilizing the person and splinting the bitten limb to reduce movement. In some cases—e.g., within Australasia—pressure immobilisation bandages may be recommended. The person should be reassured and closely monitored as they are transported to a nearby health facility. Here, we found that participants had a reasonable knowledge of first aid overall (57%). The proportion of good knowledge about first aid was higher among healthcare workers (65%) compared to the general population (46%). Considerable gaps in knowledge still exist regarding the appropriate the first aid treatment given to snakebite victims, including the evidence base for any particular treatment. Research on the effectiveness of first aid measures is required alongside community education to ensure that at-risk individuals are aware of the appropriate first aid response for snakes’ endemic in their areas. Approximately 33% of the participants were found to rely on “traditional” or “alternative” treatments for snakebite. These treatments often have negligible scientific support [22,54,55] and in some cases (e.g., bite site scarification, tourniquets) may be actively harmful [56]. In some instances, it may be possible to incorporate traditional healers and healing practices into the management of snakebite, particularly if they do not impede or delay the administration of antivenoms and other appropriate treatments [57]. For example, traditional healers could be provided with training regarding how to appropriately detect signs of envenoming and encouraged to use their position within communities to refer patients to local health facilities for appropriate patient management. It is impossible to definitively state ahead of time whether a bite from any given snake or snake species will cause significant sequelae. Thus, a bite from any venomous or unidentified species of snake must be considered a life-threatening emergency. Given the diversity of potentially dangerous snake (including >700 species worldwide with high-pressure venom systems and a number of “non-front-fanged” species), it is of paramount importance for healthcare workers and those at risk to be able to recognise the signs and symptoms of envenoming from different venomous species in snakebite-endemic regions. Previous studies have indicated that inadequate knowledge of snake identification and snakebite symptoms can lead to increased mortality due to envenoming [58,59]. The results of this study indicate that overall, 54% of the participants answered questions regarding types of snakes or identification of snakes correctly. Knowledge of snake identification was found to be similar among both the general population and healthcare workers. Research has also previously indicated that healthcare workers lack knowledge and training in snake identification by signs and symptoms, and this lack of awareness results in ineffective snakebite management and increased medical errors [60,61]. Developing methods for accurate identification of species-specific envenoming and its proper management (i.e., administration of appropriate antivenom) by qualified healthcare workers proves significant in reduced mortality and morbidity associated with snakebites [62,63]. Our study results showed that there was a high level of pooled knowledge among healthcare workers (71%) in identifying the signs and symptoms after venomous snakebites. These findings are promising though the small sample size here must be noted. Where snakebites cannot be prevented, ready access to safe and effective antivenoms and appropriate patient management from skilled medical practitioners can be lifesaving. Following a snakebite, pathological sequelae may rapidly progress towards life-threatening consequences, and appropriate medical treatment should be sought without delay. Where broad spectrum antivenom products are unavailable, effective management of snakebite patients requires specialised knowledge to administer appropriate antivenoms. Interestingly, we found that the general population had better knowledge regarding appropriate snakebite treatments (71%) than their counterparts in healthcare (59%). However, it should be noted that the public were only assessed on the appropriate use of antivenom in general. Studies have consistently reported a low level of knowledge among healthcare professionals on appropriate snakebite management. With similar gaps in knowledge evident in health sectors of developed countries, such as the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, and in low-middle income countries, such as Nigeria, Bangladesh, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Cameroon [2,15,16,35,64,65]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to assess knowledge about snakebite and its prevention and management among the general population and healthcare workers. This systematic review has several strengths and limitations. Firstly, all included studies were cross-sectional surveys and quantitative in nature, which means that they were unable to represent any causal associations and the exclusion of qualitative studies may limit the scope and potential of this study. Secondly, it should also be noted that the heterogeneity in the evaluated outcomes was high. While a range of sensitivity analyses were performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity, it is noted that a more standardised approach to the collection of snakebite knowledge data would enable more robust findings to be found and stronger conclusions to be drawn. A wide heterogeneity was also observed in the pooled knowledge prevalence. This was partly explained by the differences in the questionnaire contents, measurement and scoring systems. The studies ranked as good in the NHLBI quality assessment tool were found to be more homogeneous. Thirdly, this review excluded articles published in languages other than English. Given the high rates of snakebite across Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, it is possible that studies which could have provided valuable insight here were instead excluded. Additionally, due to the lack of sufficient subgroup information, this review was unable to assess the knowledge in age, gender, or education groups.

Conclusion The pooled proportion of good knowledge about snakebites and its management among the general population and healthcare workers was 56%. According to the survey methods utilised, participants had relatively higher knowledge regarding snakebite prevention (73%), though lower knowledge regarding snake identification (54%). These data suggest that there is a significant need for greater awareness and education of the appropriate preventative and treatment measures for snakebite for both communities and healthcare workers alike in snakebite endemic regions. Such education should include knowledge regarding local venomous snake species, their movement and behaviours; signs and symptoms of envenomation; primary first-aid for appropriate patient management and the importance of rapid health-seeking behaviours and appropriate snakebite treatment administration to reduce the burden of snakebite mortality and morbidity. The degree to which this knowledge translates into an opposite ecology of practice that contributes to the reduction of snakebite remains to be assessed. Additional studies on heterogeneous populations from other parts of the world are also needed. Learning Points Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that places a significant burden on communities and health systems across the globe.

Adequate knowledge about snakebite and snakebite management among the general population and healthcare workers was 56%.

There is a significant need for greater awareness and education in both the general population and among healthcare workers to ensure that appropriate preventative and patient management techniques are being utilised in snakebite endemic regions.

Future studies should look to standardise measures assessing snakebite knowledge and patient management to enable direct comparisons and ensure successful interventions are transferable to other snakebite endemic regions.

The degree to which this knowledge translates into an opposite ecology of practice that contributes to the reduction of snakebite remains to be assessed. Key Papers Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ, Habib AG, Harrison RA, Williams DJ, Warrell DA. Snakebite envenoming. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3(1):1–21. Longbottom J, Shearer FM, Devine M, Alcoba G, Chappuis F, Weiss DJ, et al. Vulnerability to snakebite envenoming: a global mapping of hotspots. Lancet. 2018;392(10148):673–84. Kasturiratne A, Wickremasinghe AR, de Silva N, Gunawardena NK, Pathmeswaran A, Premaratna R, et al. The global burden of snakebite: a literature analysis and modelling based on regional estimates of envenoming and deaths. PLoS Med. 2008;5(11):e218. Michael GC, Grema BA, Aliyu I, Alhaji MA, Lawal TO, Ibrahim H, et al. Knowledge of venomous snakes, snakebite first aid, treatment, and prevention among clinicians in northern Nigeria: a cross-sectional multicentre study. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2018;112(2):47–56. Pandey DP, Khanal BP. Inclusion of incorrect information on snakebite first aid in school and university teaching materials in Nepal. J Toxicol Environ Health Sci. 2013;5(3):43–51.

Acknowledgments We acknowledge the intellectual support received from the Librarian of the University of Melbourne.

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