AIIMS-Bhubaneswar Seeks Cooperation From Bhubaneswar Denizens For Study On Snakebite Mitigation

Bhubaneswar: The AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, has sought the cooperation of city denizens for its research study with a target to reduce snakebite incidents in Odisha.

The study titled ‘A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on first aid, treatment and prevention of snakebite in the residents of the house from where a snake is rescued’ will be conducted in the Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar said in a release on Monday.

Additional Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Sudipta Ranjan Singh, is the investigator of the study, and Professor and HoD, Manoj Kumar Mohanty is the co-investigator. Subhendu Mallik, General Secretary of Snake Helpline is the research coordinator for the study.

Though the study was approved earlier, it could not be started due to the restrictions for COVID-19.

The release further said that AIIMS-BBSR has finalised all ethical criteria of the study with the help of Snake Helpline. The volunteers of snake rescue will collect the data from the field by questionnaires from the member of the households from where a call for rescue of a snake was made. The questionnaires will be in local Odia and English language. The study will help to analyze the level of awareness among the study group about appropriate first aid methods, prevailing taboos, health care seeking behaviour in cases of snakebite and preventive practices to reduce snake intrusion, breeding and biting on domestic premises.

After obtaining the data from the citizen, an awareness leaflet will also be handed over to the study participants to improve their knowledge about snakes and snakebite.

“Snakebite is a public health issue in Odisha. Recently there has been an increase in such deaths. Though there is the availability of definite treatment for snakebite most people seek help from traditional healers and report late to hospitals. There are many other issues which need redressal. However, valid research data regarding the various roadblocks to hospitals are lacking. The study is designed to identify these less talked about difficulties and improve the situation in Odisha,” Singh said.