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Ediriweera, Dileepa Senajith, Kasthuriratne, Anuradhani, Pathmeswaran, Arunasalam, Gunawardene, Nipul Kithsiri, Jayamanne, Shaluka Francis, Murray, Kris, Iwamura, Takuya, Isbister, Geoffrey, Dawson, Andrew, Lalloo, David 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7680-2200, Janaka de Silva, Hithanadura and Diggle, Peter John
(2021)
'Evaluating spatiotemporal dynamics of snakebite in Sri Lanka: Monthly incidence mapping from a national representative survey sample'. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 15, Issue 6, e0009447.
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journal.pntd.0009447 Evaluating spatiotemporal dynamics of snakebite in Sri Lanka.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (4MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background
Snakebite incidence shows both spatial and temporal variation. However, no study has evaluated spatiotemporal patterns of snakebites across a country or region in detail. We used a nationally representative population sample to evaluate spatiotemporal patterns of snakebite in Sri Lanka.
Methodology
We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey representing all nine provinces of Sri Lanka. We interviewed 165 665 people (0.8% of the national population), and snakebite events reported by the respondents were recorded. Sri Lanka is an agricultural country; its central, southern and western parts receive rain mainly from Southwest monsoon (May to September) and northern and eastern parts receive rain mainly from Northeast monsoon (November to February). We developed spatiotemporal models using multivariate Poisson process modelling to explain monthly snakebite and envenoming incidences in the country. These models were developed at the provincial level to explain local spatiotemporal patterns.
Principal findings
Snakebites and envenomings showed clear spatiotemporal patterns. Snakebite hotspots were found in North-Central, North-West, South-West and Eastern Sri Lanka. They exhibited biannual seasonal patterns except in South-Western inlands, which showed triannual seasonality. Envenoming hotspots were confined to North-Central, East and South-West parts of the country. Hotspots in North-Central regions showed triannual seasonal patterns and South-West regions had annual patterns. Hotspots remained persistent throughout the year in Eastern regions. The overall monthly snakebite and envenoming incidences in Sri Lanka were 39 (95%CI: 38–40) and 19 (95%CI: 13–30) per 100 000, respectively, translating into 110 000 (95%CI: 107 500–112 500) snakebites and 45 000 (95%CI: 32 000–73 000) envenomings in a calendar year.
Conclusions/significance
This study provides information on community-based monthly incidence of snakebites and envenomings over the whole country. Thus, it provides useful insights into healthcare decision-making, such as, prioritizing locations to establish specialized centres for snakebite management and allocating resources based on risk assessments which take into account both location and season.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Subjects: | WA Public Health > WA 20.5 Research (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WD Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc > Animal Poisons > WD 410 Reptiles |
| Faculty: Department: | Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009447 |
| Depositing User: | Debbie Jenkins |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Aug 2021 12:42 |
| Last Modified: | 11 Aug 2021 12:42 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/18584 |
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