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Assessing Response Awareness to a Snake Bite in Population of Pune Region

Sadhana V. Lakhute, Rahul M. Band, Ajay L. Ghangale, Madhusudan R. Petkar, Ashwinikumar B. Sapate

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 19(3):p 368-375, July -Sept. 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.19326.12

How Cite This Article:

Rahul M. Band, Sadhana V. Lakhute, Ajay L. Ghangale et. al, Assessing Response Awareness to a Snake Bite in Population of Pune Region. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol. 2026; 19(3): 368-375

Timeline

Received : May 25, 2026         Accepted : July 29, 2026          Published : September 30, 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Snake bite is a preventable public hazard of the country. Community awareness & empowering healthcare workers can reduce snakebite associated mortality. A well-timed first aid is always decisive in the management of snake bite. Material and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study based on questionnaire of 20 questions done, data tabulated, analysed and compared in order to determine the awareness in study group about the identification of type of snakes, first aid, management, traditional practices performed in case of snake bites. Results: A total of 906 persons participated in survey. Most of them answered to all of the 20 questions with very few skipping 1-2 questions. Snake bite mark identification is important for early and effective treatment. 785 (86.64%) persons identified poisonous and non-poisonous snake bite from two images. Identifying important early symptom of neurotoxic snakebite is paramount for quick life saving measures. 514 (56.85%) identified drooping of eyelids as early warning sign. Reassuring and calming of the snakebite victim helps to prevent anxiety and helps correctly observing signs-symptom; 550 (60.70%) participants agreed to this reasoning. Conclusion & Recommendations: Although most of the participants were able to identify commonly known snakes like cobra, venomous bite mark and common treatment methods, but many were unaware about features of uncommon sea snakes, misconceptions regarding treatment and complications. Inclusion of snakebite first aid measures in educational curriculum at early level might help to improve outcomes.

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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.

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Cite this article

Rahul M. Band, Sadhana V. Lakhute, Ajay L. Ghangale et. al, Assessing Response Awareness to a Snake Bite in Population of Pune Region. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol. 2026; 19(3): 368-375

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
May 25, 2026 July 29, 2026 September 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.19326.12

Keywords

AwarenessResponseSnakebite

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Timeline

Received May 25, 2026
Accepted July 29, 2026
Published September 30, 2026

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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