Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2394-6776.2017.0049 Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine, October-December 2017;4(4):229-231 229 Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Snakes and Snakebite among Interns Kashif Ali 1,* , Ishan Pathak 2 1,2 Post Graduate Student, 1 Dept. of Forensic Medicine, 2 Dept. of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India *Corresponding Author: Email:alikashif568@yahoo.in Abstract Background: Snakebite is a global health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. India has the highest number of deaths due to snakebites in the World with 35000-50000 dying per year according to World Health Organization (WHO). Despite having this highest burden, snakebite is still a neglected topic in the global health agenda. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding snake and snakebite among the interns of J.N. Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka. Need for the study: Knowledge regarding snakes and snakebite among interns is very important as they are exposed to such cases in casualty and rural practice. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 interns of J.N. Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice after taking written informed consent. Universal sampling method was used and each intern was a study participant. Results: Most of the study participants when shown different photographs could differentiate between venomous and non- venomous snakes and their bite marks. Most common venomous snake to be identified was Spectacled Cobra while Common Krait was the least identified. About 90% of study subjects correctly differentiated between the pictures of venomous and non- venomous snakebite marks. Conclusion: In the present study, majority of the participants had basic knowledge about snake identification and snakebite. All the participant knew that there is medical treatment available for snakebite and most of them were in favour of not killing the snakes. Snakebite management should be an important part of medical curriculum. Keywords: Snakes, Snakebite, Interns, Rural. Introduction Snakebite is a serious and important problem especially in rural areas of tropical and subtropical developing countries, having been considered by World Health Organization (WHO) as a neglected extrinsic injury. Bites are more frequent in young men and generally occur on lower limbs. The incidence of snakebite is higher during the rainy season and during the periods of intense agricultural activity. (1) Snakebite is an important occupational injury affecting farmers, plantation workers, herders and fishermen. Open style habitation and the practice of sleeping on floor also expose people to bites from nocturnal snakes. It is very common among agriculture workers because they do not take necessary precautionary measures to avoid snakebite such as wearing gloves, boots, etc either because of unaffordability or because of discomfort associated with their use in hot and humid conditions. Snake envenomation is a serious medical crisis, wherein the spectrum of injury can vary from local tissue damage to involvement of almost all vital organs of the body, and medical interns are the first one to encounter these cases in casualty. Most of the snakebites are harmless and are caused by non- poisonous species so it is the duty of medical intern to identify the snakebite mark and proceed accordingly. Materials and Method This cross-sectional study was conducted among interns of J.N. Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka during the period of January to July 2017. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used to interview the study participants and various in depth questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice about snakes and snakebite were asked. Four pictures each of venomous and non-venomous snakes along with two pictures of snakebite marks were shown to study participant for identification based questions. Statistical analysis was done by using Microsoft Excel and the results were calculated in percentages. Results Out of the total 150 study participants, 87 (58%) were males and 63 (42%) were females. All were interns and hence completed their final year MBBS. To assess the knowledge regarding species identification and venomosity of snakes, four images of locally prevalent venomous and non-venomous snakes were shown to the study participant along with two images of bite marks of venomous and non-venomous snakes.