Ethnozoology of snakebite victims in a risk area in Northeast Brazil.

This study had the objectives to describe and analyze the perceptions and attitudes of snakebite victims in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied as snakebite victims to identify the characteristics of the accident, their daily life, as well as positive and negative attitudes towards snake conservation and knowledge about species. Information about the possible uses of traditional treatment, allopathic care characteristics along with the symptoms and sequelae resulting from the accident were also recorded. The results obtained revealed that accidents mostly occurred during the development of their daily activities (i.e. during agricultural activities, in hunting activities in the mountains, in caring for farm animals, etc); most accidents are associated with Caatinga lancehead (Jararaca; Bothrops erythromelas); the bites usually affect the limbs, 75% (n = 46) feet, and the victims resort to medical assistance for specific treatment, although some seek this service after using or ingesting medicinal or popular/home-made therapeutic resources. The most relevant characteristics detected in these accidents were the strong influence of myths about traditional treatment (20%, n = 12) and the knowledge about identifying common snake species in the region (66%, n = 40). No perception was detected about the importance of these animals, but there were negative attitudes when finding a snake, fear/panic (34%, n = 21); kill the snake (23%, n = 14), thus constituting facts which may be related to the deficiency in the education level of this population which is interfering in environmental and public health issues. Work on improving the knowledge and local perception could subsidize actions and policies aimed to prevent accidents, demystify snakes and contribute to the conservation of the species.

Snakebite accidents in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil: Epidemiology, health management and influence of the environmental scenario.

OBJECTIVES: Brazil is home to large variety of snake species, of which about 17% are venomous. A large proportion of reported snakebite accidents in the country take place in northeast Brazil. We aimed to analyse the epidemiology of snakebites as a public health concern in Rio Grande do Norte state. METHODS: A retrospective epidemiologic analysis was performed using data from the Brazilian Case Registry Database pertaining to the period 2007-2016, and considering environmental climate characteristics as an influential factor. RESULTS: A number of 3909 cases were reported in total. Among those cases, 58% involved venomous species and more than 80% of these were caused by Bothrops species. An association between environmental characteristics and the incidence of reported cases was found. The Borborema Potiguar region was the most affected area. Apart from that, deficiencies in managing the victims were described. CONCLUSION: This study highlights snakebite accidents as a public health concern in Rio Grande do Norte state. Snake bites are most likely being influenced by climate change and human activities. Continuous training of involved medical personnel could help optimise patient care and avoid under reporting in the accident reporting system.

OBJECTIFS: Le Brésil abrite de très nombreuses espèces de serpents, dont environ 17% sont venimeuses. Une grande partie des accidents rapportés de morsures de serpent dans le pays ont lieu dans le nord-est du pays. Notre objectif était d'analyser l'épidémiologie des morsures de serpents en tant que problème de santé publique dans l'Etat du Rio Grande do Norte. MÉTHODES: Une analyse épidémiologique rétrospective a été réalisée à l'aide des données de la Base de Données du Registre Brésilien des cas couvrant la période 2007-2016 et prenant en compte les caractéristiques climatiques de l'environnement comme facteur d'influence. RÉSULTATS: 3.909 cas au total ont été rapportés. 58% concernaient des espèces venimeuses et plus de 80% d'entre elles étaient causées par l'espèce Bothrops. Une association entre les caractéristiques environnementales et l'incidence des cas rapportés a été mise en évidence. La région de Borborema Potiguar était la plus touchée. Outre cela, les déficiences dans la prise en charges des victimes ont été décrites. CONCLUSION: Cette étude souligne que les accidents causés par des morsures de serpent constituent un problème de santé publique dans l'Etat de Rio Grande do Norte. Les morsures de serpents sont très probablement influencées par les changements climatiques et les activités humaines. La formation continue du personnel médical impliqué pourrait aider à optimiser les soins prodigués aux patients et à éviter une sous-notification dans le système de notification des accidents.