Authors
S. Elankeeran, S. Sivaganesh, S. Kannathasan
Abstract
Though a considerable number of arthropod stung or bitten patients seek medical assistance in Jaffna District, only few literatures are available. With this background, this retrospective study was designed to study the holistic pattern of arthropod stings or bites reported in Jaffna District. This institutional based retrospective descriptive study was carried out at major hospitals in Jaffna District. Basic demographic data, type of arthropods, site of bite and other recorded clinical manifestations were extracted to a data sheet from the BHTs for a period of one year. The data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 21. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. During the study period 1030 patients were reported to the Base Hospitals in the Jaffna District and the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. Among them 57% were male and the age ranges from 1 to 86 years. Majority of them were from the MOH divisions of Chavakacheri (30%) and Tellipalai (22%) followed by PointPedro (18%). Most of them had unknown bite (36%) followed by wasp stings (23%) and white scorpion (15%) stings. Legs (36%) were the predominant site of bite followed by arm (31%) and head and neck (15)%. This study reveals 72% of the patients reported pain whereas 44% had swelling at the site of bite. Most of the patients (78%) stayed in the hospital for one day and others (22%) stayed for two days, and no fatality was recorded during the study period. In conclusion, arthropod stings or bites need not be neglected anymore and further in depth studies of arthropod biology and risk factors are paramount in order to help the health authorities in the primary prevention.