Epidemiological investigation on envenomation: from theory to practice

Abstract

A better understanding of the epidemiology of envenoming would improve care, provided that the survey is representative, reliable and accurate. Several types of surveys could help to clarify the incidence, severity, circumstances, factors and determinants of envenomations. The relevant information may be collected and analyzed from hospital records or case report forms (for retrospective studies) or established from a protocol of longitudinal observation of cases attended at health facilities during a given period (prospective study). The household survey includes interviewing all or part of the population of a locality with a standardized questionnaire to obtain information on the circumstances of the accident. Finally, standardized questionnaires can be administered to health workers in order to ascertain the circumstances and procedures of care, the availability and use of treatment and the level of knowledge of agents. Correctly performed, these surveys should promote the organization of the management of snakebites or scorpion stings because they identify the location of envenomation and quantify the needs. However, the surveyed localities should be chosen for relevance to be representative of the territory, just as methodology and analysis should be rigorous in order to give useful results

Epidemiology of snakebites in Kédougou region (eastern Senegal): comparison of various methods for assessment of incidence and mortality

“…The assessment of the incidence and mortality due to envenomation is essential to improve the policy of envenomation control and enable the management of preventive and therapeutic measures, starting with the provision of appropriate antivenoms in adequate quantities accessible wherever they are needed for case management [ 5 ]. However, in the absence of mandatory reporting of cases, it is necessary to use indirect methods which, although providing consistent estimates, remain approximate [ 6 , 7 ]. We can schematically oppose two sources of data: health statistics and household surveys.…”

An epidemiological study on scorpion envenomation in the Zagora oases (Morocco)

“…Scorpion envenomation is a real public health problem in many parts of the world, especially in North Africa, Central America, South America, the Middle East and India [1][2][3][4], with over 1.2 million cases of scorpion stings and 3 250 deaths each year worldwide [5]. Among the 1 500 species described, venoms of at least 25 species are of medical importance for humans and the majority of those species belong to Buthus, Parabuthus, Mesobuthus, Tityus, Leiurus, Androctonus and Centruroides genera of Buthidae family [5].…”

African Society of Toxinology: a new opportunity for integrating the control of envenomations in Africa

“…In addition to the methodological aspects, including the collection of reliable data (25), the implications for the management of envenomation in tropical countries with low incomes are emphasized (26,27).…”