TMSS Medical College Journal

Background: Snake bite is onc of the alarming acute medical emergency resulting ill-fated unintended interaction between snake and human in Bangladesh. It is obligatory to enhance general wakefulness about its prevention and first aid management among the rural population which is still significantly slight. Proper knowledge can ease the mortality and morbidity of victims. Objective: To assess the of knowledge regarding snake bite among rural people in a selected area of Joypurhat, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive type of Cross-sectional study conducted at Kalai, Joypurhat district on September, 2025. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for selecting respondent's 218 years of age from rural population. Sample size was 287. Data were collected by face-to-face interview. A pre-designed. pre-tested, structured questionnaire was used, as a tool for collecting data. The questionnaire had four sections. Results: The study revealed that, out of 287 respondents’ majority belonged to the age group below or equal 10 30 years were 77(26.83%). Females accounted for 40% of the study subjects, 51.57% of the respondents were housewife . 26.1% of respondents had no formal education. 75% reported that they had never witnessed a snake bite victim in the past. Among 287 respondents, 52% said commonly found snakes in their region were non-venomous. 47% of respondents supposed snake bite usually occur at night time whereas 44% said its usually at daytime. Majority, 193 (66.55%) opined snake usually bite during rainy season. 54% thought snake bite typically occur in paddy field so farmers were the high risk group. 69% were in favor of application of tight tourniquet immediately after bite . 56% preferred hospital treatment as an ideal, followed by traditional healer 26%. Majority of the respondents (68%) reported that they need to more enlighten on this topic. Study findings signify the need for further awareness programs for rural inhabitants to educate them on this neglected yet preventable public health emergency. Conclusion: Still now rural people has unsatisfactory knowledge along with some misconceptions regarding this issue, necessary steps should be taken by the concerned authority to enhance appropriate treatment-secking behavior highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions

Snake bite is a significant but often ignored public health problems in rural Bangladesh. It represents a significant public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where snakes are prevalent and agricultural expansion is increasing.” The true incidence of snake bite in Bangladesh is unknown. On June 9%, 2017 WHO categorized snakebite envenomation into the Category A of the Neglected Tropical Diseases! WHO estimates that 81,000-138.000 deaths are caused by snakebite envenoming (SBE) annually and that about three times as many amputations and other permanent disabilities are attributable to snakebite envenoming. The burden of this disease is the highest in Africa, Asia and Latin America® Globally there are 2900 snakes” species of which about 600 are considered venomous.