A country-wide survey of knowledge and practice regarding prevention, snake identification and pre-hospital management of children with snakebites amongst Public Health Midwives in Sri Lanka

Despite their key role in community health, PHMs in Sri Lanka exhibit major knowledge gaps in evidence-based first aid, snake identification, and awareness of national support systems for snakebite management. These deficits, coupled with widespread misconceptions and low confidence, highlight the need for structured training, curriculum integration, and ongoing professional development. Strengthening PHMs' capacity in snakebite prevention and early management can significantly enhance community preparedness and reduce the burden of paediatric snakebite envenoming in Sri Lanka.