RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF SNAKEBITE CASES AT THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Snakebite poisoning is a public health concern to persons in agrarian environments and the northern region of Ghana is no exception. Youthful male agricultural and field workers have been reported to be at higher risk of snakebite, hence necessitating a study to determine the full extent of the snakebite problem in the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the snakebite cases that were reported at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A retrospective review of snakebite cases reported to the Tamale Teaching Hospital between January, 2013 and June, 2014 was carried out. A total of 150 cases were reviewed and the data analysed using SPSS version 20 with all chart drawn using Microsoft Excel 2013. The results of the study were, the prevalence of snakebite cases reported at the hospital was 89/100,000 population. Majority of the victims were between 15-59 years (65%). Males (64.7%) were the majority with farmers (46%) being the most affected. The majority of cases occurred in February, March and September mostly from the rural areas with the East Gonja district having the highest. The lower limbs were the commonly bitten site with most occurring during the daytime (68.67%) and outdoors (75.33%). Pain, swelling and bleeding were the commonest clinical presentations of the victims whiles 68.67% of them used first aid. The carpet viper was the only positively identified snake. Of the 78.67% of the victims who received ASV, 6.78% adversely reacted. The outcome of the cases were 84% cured, 12% discharged against medical advice and 4% dead. In conclusion, snakebite prevalence is high at the TTH, affecting mainly young agricultural male workers in the rural parts of the region. The carpet viper is responsible for most bites and ASV administration was the mainstay of snakebite management.