Assessing the Impact of Hospital and Traditional-based Treatments on Snakebite Envenoming in Kaltungo: A Mathematical Modeling Approach

In Kaltungo, Northeast Nigeria, snakebite envenoming (SBE) poses a substantial public health threat, with both hospital-based and traditional treatments being widely used. To assess the effectiveness of these treatment strategies, this study employs a mathematical modeling approach. A compartmental model is developed, incorporating SBE epidemiological data, treatment patterns, and outcomes to quantify the effectiveness of hospital-based and traditional treatments in Kaltungo. The basic features of the model were explored and fitted with local data. A qualitative study of the model revealed that it has two equilibrium points, which were shown to be globally asymptotically stable. The numerical findings indicate that hospital-based treatment is more effective in yielding good recovery outcomes and reducing SBE-related mortality than traditional treatment. However, the findings further establish that combining both hospital-based and traditional treatments is the best approach, producing optimal recovery outcomes and the most significant reduction in SBE-induced deaths. This study emphasizes the need for integrated treatment approaches that combine the benefits of hospital-based and traditional treatments. The model provides a valuable tool for evaluating treatment strategies and informing evidence-based decision-making for SBE management in Kaltungo and similar settings.