Purpose: Although snake bites occur frequently in Benin City, the prevalence has not been
documented. This study was therefore done to determine the prevalence, morbidity, mortality,
and the orthodox treatment of victims.
Methods: The study was retrospective and data on victims of snake bite covering a period of
twenty years were obtained from the records as contained in the individual patients’ case files
available at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City.
Results: Males were twice more often bitten than females, and teenagers and youths in their
early twenties constituted the peak age range of victims. Most victims (59.5%) were bitten in the
bush or farm. The limbs were the commonest sites of bite with the feet (73.5%) and arms
(20.9%) more frequently bitten; both the upper and lower right limbs were also more frequently
bitten than the corresponding left limbs. All patients who showed symptoms of envenomation
(68.3%) received polyvalent antivenom, 67.4% received antibiotics while over 90% of patients
received antitetanus prophylaxis. Some of the patients (61.5 %) were treated with analgesics,
while 17.2% and 82.3% received diazepam and intravenous fluids, respectively. Although there
was a high degree of morbidity as shown by the long stay of many patients in the hospital (mean
duration of stay by patients in hospital is 5.7±5.1 days; range <1-23 days), mortality was not
recorded.
Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of snake bites with high morbidity
especially among the very active youthful segment of the Benin City population.