Poisoning and envenomation in Bangladesh- A multicenter hospital-based observational study
Poisoning and envenomation, especially snakebites, are major but often neglected public health concerns in Bangladesh and other developing countries. These issues primarily affect rural communities, contributing to significant health and economic burdens. Despite their impact, there is a lack of comprehensive national data to guide prevention and treatment efforts.
This study aims to investigate the types, incidence, and short-term clinical outcomes of poisoning and envenomation cases in Bangladesh. The general objective is to measure their incidence in tertiary care hospitals, while specific objectives include analyzing clinical patterns, hospital preparedness, and the effects of specific toxins such as paraquat and aluminum phosphate.
It also seeks to identify regional differences in poisoning agents and envenomation species, along with associated risk factors and comorbidities. The study will follow a prospective, multicenter, hospital-based observational design from January 2025 to December 2030, involving twelve tertiary hospitals across the country. Using non-probability convenience sampling, approximately 4,500 cases will be enrolled annually. Data will be collected via interviews using semi-structured questionnaires, with blood samples taken when poisoning agents are unknown. Clinical and epidemiological analyses will be carried out, including snakebite incidence estimation using person-time conversion methods.