The epidemiology of snakebites, treatment-seeking behaviour, and snakebite management in the department of Ogooué et des Lacs, Gabon, Central Africa
A cross-sectional community and health facility-based survey
Bibliographic Data
Background: Snakebite envenoming is a neglected public health problem in many tropical countries, resulting in over 100 000 deaths and 400 000 disabilities worldwide each year. In Gabon, where venomous snakes are abundant, studies on the epidemiology and treatment of snakebites are lacking. Methods: Between October 2022 and June 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional community survey in the department of Ogooué et des Lacs in central Gabon to estimate the snakebite incidence, describe clinical presentations and treatment-seeking behaviours, and describe the burden of snakebites to animal populations in rural and urban communities. We also surveyed health facilities in the department to describe treatment practices and the availability of antivenom. Results: The standardised annual incidence rate was 246 snakebite cases per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI) = 138-438). Of the 175 snakebite cases reported in the five years prior to the survey, 18% showed signs of envenomation, predominantly with cytotoxic signs. The mortality among the bitten population was 3%. Snakebite treatment was first sought at a formal health facility in 55% of cases, from traditional healers in 22%, and with self-treatment or no treatment in the remaining 23%. Of snakebite patients treated at a formal health facility in the five years prior to the survey, 81% received antivenom, 41% received antibiotics, and 51% received corticosteroids. Almost one in six households reported animal deaths due to snakebites in the previous 12 months. Conclusions: This study provides the first robust epidemiological estimates of the burden of snakebites in Gabon and highlights the importance of community-based surveys in accurately assessing this high burden. Training health care workers, developing treatment guidelines, and ensuring the availability of effective and affordable antivenom are important steps to improving the outcome for snakebite victims
Case management · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Geography · Pathology · Healthcare and Venom Research · Medicine · Nursing · Rabies epidemiology and control · Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies · Epidemiology
Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa
Research electronic data capture (Redcap)—A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support
The Redcap consortium
High snakebite underreporting rate in the Centre Region of Cameroon
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