Assessment of human-snake interaction and its outcomes in Monduli district, northern Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2015-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Health Research
Abstract
Human-snake interactions has always been associated with different outcomes. This crosssectional
study was conducted to assess the human-snake interaction and its outcomes in Monduli
District, northern Tanzania.
Data collection was done through questionnaires, key informants interviews and record review
of snake bite cases at Meserani Snake Park Clinic.
Most respondents (97%) in the study area had ever encountered snakes mostly in livestock
grazing areas (41.5%) especially at noon hours. The common types of snakes were the black ones (44.6%)
and most of these (58%) were non-poisonous species. Twelve species of snakes were reported to be
found in the area while 22 species dominated by Psammophis s. subtaeniatus and Eryx colubrinus loveridgei
were under zoo environment. Fifty seven people were bitten by snakes in the study area in 2012 and
majority of the cases were recorded between February and April. It was further reported that many
respondents (92.3%) feel worried whenever they encounter snakes and the reaction is to kill it as a means
of control. This was because snakes were regarded as dangerous creatures and were not used in any
traditional practices (81.5%).
There was a hostile interactions between human and snakes and always humans hated
snakes and, killed them whenever were encountered. Basic educations on snake conservation have to be
provided to the community to avoid unnecessary killing of snakes.
Description
Tanzania Journal of Health Research 2015: Vol 17(1)
Keywords
Human, Snakes, Bites, Venome, Tanzania