Rao Ahsanur Rahman Khan, Mohammad Ashraf Ali, Syed Mohammad Aftab Hassan, Syed Ijlal Haider Rizvi, Khalid Aziz.
A study of the factors contributing towards fatalities, in cases of Snake Envenomation, in Bahawalpur region.
J Fatima Jinnah Med Coll Lahore Jan ;1(1-2):14-7.

Objective: This study was conducted with a view to ascertain and identify the factors responsible for causing fatal outcome in cases of snake bite The primary objective was to decrease the Fatality rate in such cases. Design of the study: It was a retrospective study, which was carried out on those fatal cases of snake envenomations that reached the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, and were admitted for treatment. Place and duration of study: A total number of 580 cases of snakebites reported to the Emergency department of Quaid-I-Azam Medical College / Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, during three years, starting from 1996 up till 1998. Subject / methods: A total number of 60 cases out of 580, met with a fatal outcome. These cases were then subjected to detailed scrutiny with a view to ascertain the factors that contributed towards those fatalities. The patient files were retrieved and all the relevant features were recorded onto an especially designed database into a computer Results: The results revealed that the single major cause, contributing towards the fatal outcome of such cases, is, the time that elapsed between the envenomization and the start of treatment. Conclusion: It was concluded that providing health education and awareness in the general public, especially in the rural populace could, further decrease the Fatality rate in snakebite cases.

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