Exploring The Impact of Bite-to-Needle Time on Snakebite Complications: Insights from a Study at Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Snakebite envenoming is an acute life-threatening time-limiting medical emergency necessitating prompt intervention. Timely treatment is often hindered by delayed hospital arrival, delayed treatment, and initial reliance on traditional healers, exacerbating adverse outcomes. This study was conducted to assess whether the bite-to-needle time impacts on complications in snakebite patients, reasons behind the delay in Anti Snake Venom administration, clinico-epidemiological profiles and first aid awareness in victims. Methods: A hybrid study enrolled 124 snakebite patients admitted between January 2022 and April 2023. Statistical analysis using Chi-square and Pearson's correlation tests evaluated the impact of BNT on complications. Results: The study revealed higher snakebite incidence in males 53.22%, mostly 74% in 21 to 50 years of age group, farmers 78.22%, from rural areas 77%. A significant positive correlation between BNT and complications is revealed. Notably, 100% of patients with BNT exceeding 8 hours, 96.66% with BNT between 4–8 hours, and 65.58% with BNT within 0–4 hours developed complications. Delayed ASV administration was attributed to various factors, including transportation issues (28.2%), delay after primary health center (PHC) (13.7%), unavailability of personnel for help at incidence place (11.3%), distant hospitals (10.5%), patient ignorance (7.3%), and no sense of damage (6.5%). Conclusion: This study underscores the critical importance of prompt ASV administration in preventing complications. The direct correlation between BNT and complications highlights the need for enhanced public awareness of snakebite ASV, first aid and timely medical intervention to mitigate morbidity, mortality and to improve the quality of life.