TY - JOUR

T1 - Tackling Snakebite Through Training: an Indian example

AU - Malhotra, Anita

AU - Graham, Stuart

AU - Owens, John Benjamin

AU - Bharti, Omesh

AU - Santra, Vishal

PY - 2022/8/31

Y1 - 2022/8/31

N2 - India leads the world in the annual number of snakebite deaths, with the latest available figures indicating about 58,000 deaths per year. A few groups, largely Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and registered not for profit societies, conduct snakebite education and awareness programs to risk groups across India. Limited snakebite training and awareness, however, is being conducted for groups that act as advisors or custodians of snakes. In this study, we worked with the State Forest Departments of Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim to provide training workshops on snakebite awareness and mitigation. We administered a questionnaire prior to and upon completion of training. Our research confirmed that knowledge, attitude, and behavior in relation to snakebite were intrinsically linked in the participating Indian Forest Department officers. Our study further revealed that those presenting high knowledge scores were those who also expressed the most environmentally friendly behavior and attitudes. This important finding highlights the need to improve knowledge, which would contribute towards more environmentally friendly behavior and favorable attitudes towards snakes. Training improved the knowledge of Forest Department officers about snakebite management and significantly increased their confidence to undertake snake rescue and apply snakebite first aid. To assist the Indian Forest Department in discharging its responsibilities for the protection of its wildlife and assisting in the reduction of snakebite, we recommend that in-depth and hands-on training is provided to all front-line staff of the Indian Forest Department that deals with snakes and snakebite incidents.

AB - India leads the world in the annual number of snakebite deaths, with the latest available figures indicating about 58,000 deaths per year. A few groups, largely Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and registered not for profit societies, conduct snakebite education and awareness programs to risk groups across India. Limited snakebite training and awareness, however, is being conducted for groups that act as advisors or custodians of snakes. In this study, we worked with the State Forest Departments of Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim to provide training workshops on snakebite awareness and mitigation. We administered a questionnaire prior to and upon completion of training. Our research confirmed that knowledge, attitude, and behavior in relation to snakebite were intrinsically linked in the participating Indian Forest Department officers. Our study further revealed that those presenting high knowledge scores were those who also expressed the most environmentally friendly behavior and attitudes. This important finding highlights the need to improve knowledge, which would contribute towards more environmentally friendly behavior and favorable attitudes towards snakes. Training improved the knowledge of Forest Department officers about snakebite management and significantly increased their confidence to undertake snake rescue and apply snakebite first aid. To assist the Indian Forest Department in discharging its responsibilities for the protection of its wildlife and assisting in the reduction of snakebite, we recommend that in-depth and hands-on training is provided to all front-line staff of the Indian Forest Department that deals with snakes and snakebite incidents.

M3 - Article

VL - 17

SP - 331

EP - 342

JO - Herpetological Conservation and Biology

JF - Herpetological Conservation and Biology

SN - 1931-7603

IS - 2

ER -