Investigating the Determinants of Snakebite Cases Among Patients Attending Secondary Healthcare Facilities in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

The study was carried out in secondary healthcare facilities in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to identify the species of snakes, age and the gender of snakebite victims, occupations that are most vulnerable to snakebites and determine the season that has the highest records of snakebite in the study area. A reconnaissance survey was carried out to identify communities where snakebites cases were predominant and from this the number of questionnaire were deduced. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered to respondents in five (5) General Hospitals including Gwagwalada, Bwari, Gwarimpa, Maitama and Kuje. Data obtained were been processed and analyzed using Microsoft excel. Descriptive statistics such as bar charts, pie charts and figures were used to present data obtained from the study. The results show that 84 (56%) of the snakebite victims were male while 66 (44%) were female. Snakebite was highest among 21- 30 years while the least were among 51 years and above. The result also shows that farmers has the highest percentage of snakebite with the least being civil servants. The records indicate that most of the snakebite were on the farm 75 (50%) while 4 (3%) falls under others. Majority of the victims 123 (82%) were bitten on their legs while 27(18%) were bitten on their hands. Viper (Echis ocellatus) has the highest number of victims while python has the least. Result also shows that most of the snakebite occurs during rainy season with the month of April having the highest number of victims. Expansion of farmlands is the main cause of snakebites. Since snakebites mostly occur in farms protective clothing such as boots, hand gloves, trouser should be worn when working. There is also need to enlightened and educate communities on snake and snakebite risks.