Snake-bite is a life-threatening medical emergency. It occurs frequently among rural people, especially those working in the fields. In India, an estimated 35 000–50 000 lives are lost annually due to snake-bite, Quasi experimental research design was adopted to conduct this study, 100 samples of knowledge for snake bite were selected with no non-probability purposive sampling technique was used the inclusive criteria of knowledge for snake bite, who speak Tamil and English patients who willing to participate in the study, the data collected using the tools consists of demographic variables. Almost every people have knowledge about snake bite among 100, 80 people ever spread information about snake bite.

Keywords: Snakebite, Snake, Knowledge.

Snake bites depends on numerous factors, including the species of snake, the area of the body bitten, the amount of venom injected, and the health conditions of the victim. Feelings of terror and panic are common after snakebite and can produce a characteristic set of symptoms mediated by the autonomic nervous system, such as a racing heart and nausea. Bites from non-venomous snakes can also cause injury, often due to lacerations caused by the snake's teeth, or from a resulting infection. A bite may also trigger an anaphylactic reaction, which is potentially fatal. First aid recommendations for bites depend on the snakes inhabiting the region, as effective treatments for bites inflicted by some species can be ineffective for others. The most common symptoms of all snakebites are overwhelming fear, panic, and emotional instability, which may cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo, fainting, tachycardia, and cold, clammy skin, Television, literature, and folklore are in part responsible for the hype surrounding snakebites, and a victim may have unwarranted thoughts of imminent death [1].

Most snakebite, whether by a venomous snake or not, will have some type of local effect. There is minor pain and redness in over 90% of cases, although this varies depending on the site. Bites by vipers and some cobras may be extremely painful, with the local tissue sometimes becoming tender and severely swollen within 5 minutes. This area may also bleed and blister and can eventually lead to tissue necrosis. Other common initial symptoms of pit viper and viper bites include lethargy, bleeding, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may become more life-threatening over time, developing into hypotension, tachypnea, severe tachycardia, severe internal bleeding, altered sensorium, kidney failure and respiratory failure [2].

According to WHO snake bite is an important medical problem but it is also a neglected extrinsic injury in tropical and subtropical developing countries. South Asia, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, are most affected regions in the world. Adult males belonging to the occupation like farmers, plantation workers, herdsmen, and other outdoor workers who has little knowledge of snakes were frequently bitten by snakes but high risk group who were in regular contact with snakes because of their adequate knowledge about the snake and their habits were less bitten [3].

Care-givers need better training and supervision for immediate prevention and management of snakebite, and national guidelines should be fed by evidence-based data generated by well-designed research studies. Poorly informed rural populations often apply inappropriate first-aid measures and vital time is lost before the victim is transported to a treatment center, where cost of treatment can constitute an additional hurdle. The deficiency of snake bite prevention and management in India is multi-causal and requires joint collaborative efforts from researchers, public health authorities [4].

Since farmers are more vulnerable persons for snake bites as they spend most of their time in field, and due to lack of medical facilities and misconceptions about first aid prevention and management of snake bite. Mortality rate is increased. So there is a need assess the knowledge about the prevention and management and first aid of snake bite [5].

Quasi experimental research design was adopted to conduct this study, 100 samples of knowledge for snake bite were selected with no non-probability purposive sampling technique was used the inclusive criteria of knowledge for snake bite, who speak Tamil and English patients who willing to participate in the study, the data collected using the tools consists of demographic variables The data was collected using the tools which consist of two sections, demographic variables and self-structured questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge on prevention and management of snake bite with demographic variables among rural people.

The questionnaire was used to get the demographic variable such as gender, age, education, occupation, family members bitten by snake, source of health information

The study investigators explained to the samples about the study’s objectives, rational and requirement of consent to participate in the study. The investigators then provided instructions for filling the questionnaire, and then guided the samples. The understanding of each question was checked by asking the samples to repeat the meaning. During the filling of questionnaires, the investigators helped the samples throughout and helped simplifying the meaning of each question, clarifying doubts and checking for completeness of filling up the questionnaire.

Chisquare test was used to test the association between categorical variables. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Figure 1: level of knowledge onprevention and management of snake bite in kalambakkam village among rural people.

Table -1Presentation of Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables of rural people at selected village n= (100)

Table 2: The association between demographic variables with the level of knowledge on prevention and management of snake bite at selected village.