Snakes are found all over the world except in the Arctic, New Zealand and Ireland, and are more commonly distributed in temperate and tropical countries.1 Snakes are most likely to bite human beings when they feel threatened, startled or provoked, and/or have no means of escape when cornered. Snakes are likely to approach residential areas when attracted by prey, such as mice and frogs. The Deccan plateau, with its agricultural land and hot, dry climate, provides an ideal environment for cobras, kraits and vipers.2 Snakebite is generally considered to be a rural problem and has been linked with environmental and occupational conditions.3 Most houses in the rural areas of India are made of mud and have many crevices where rodents flourish. Snakes have easy ingress to such houses and often enter them in search of food. Firewood and dried cow dung, stored in or near the house, provide ready shelter for snakes and rodents. 4 Morbidity and mortality from snakebite envenomation depends on the species of snake, since the estimated fatal dose of venom varies among species. In India, almost two-thirds of the bites are attributed to the saw-scaled viper (as high as 95% in some areas such as Jammu 5 ), about a quarter to Russell's viper, and smaller proportions to cobras and kraits. 6 Snakebite is an important and serious medical problem in many parts of India. However, reliable data for morbidity and mortality are not available since there is no proper reporting system. Moreover, many cases are not recorded in official statistics, as people seek traditional treatment methods. Most snakebite studies in India deal with clinical and management aspects, and there are few epidemiological studies. 7 We studied the epidemiology of snakebite cases over a period of 10 years. Aim and objectivesWe aimed to study the epidemiology of snakebite cases admitted to hospital; trends of snakebite and death from snakebite; seasonal variations; and the outcomes of snakebite cases. MethodsIn a record-based retrospective descriptive study, we evaluated snakebite cases admitted to the hospital from 1999 to 2008. Data were collected from the Medical Records Department of the Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College. Recorded information was entered in a pre-coded pro forma and included age, sex, residence, site of bite, type of snake poison, whether cases had been directly admitted to this hospital or referred from other health centres, time interval between snakebite and initiation of treatment, and the outcomes of snakebite cases. The total number of hospital admissions for different illnesses during 1999 -2008 was 488 344. As required by the government of Maharashtra, all snakebites are classified as medico-legal cases, whose records are kept separately in the medical records department. The total number of cases registered during the above period was 5 718. We evaluated only the records of snakebite cases where outcomes were recorded as recovered and discharged from hospital, or died while in hospital. Excluded were snakebite patients ...

Measurement of chest circumference being simple, easy, cheap and reliable method for identification of low birth weight in the community.

Objectives: To assess treatment compliance of self-reported dog bite cases and to assess associated demographic and exposure factors. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study was conducted during January 2013 to July 2013 among 260 dog bite cases by purposive sampling at the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. After obtaining verbal informed consent, a predesigned questionnaire was used. The assessment of treatment compliance of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen was considered on the basis of intramuscular anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) regimen by classifying completed PEP and defaulted PEP. At the end of PEP regimen of every participant, we obtained information about received ARV doses using telephone survey method. Data were analyzed using statistical software Epi info Version 7. Results: Of 260 dog bite cases, 76.5% cases were completed PEP. The majority, 22.3% cases from age group ≤10 years, 56.2% males, 48.1% from urban area, 25% had primary school education, 32.7% students, 53.8% had bite mark on lower limb, 58.5% were category III exposure, and 70.8% who had received previously immunization against rabies, were completed PEP. The bite due to 54.6% pet dog, 58.1% observable dog, 40% provoked bite, 71.9% cases who had not known about the rabid status of the dog, were completed PEP. The unconditional logistic regression analysis found that demographic and exposure factors were not independently associated with treatment compliance (P > 0.05) except literacy status (P < 0.05). The present study showed maximum completed PEP cases, however, it showed the demographic and exposure factors of dog bite cases were not independently associated with treatment compliance except literacy status.

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