Relation between Factors Affecting Animal Bite Poisoning and Patients’ Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Context: Globally, animal bite poisoning ranks as a leading cause of emergency department visits. Therefore, identifying clinical outcomes and understanding the associated factors is crucial for reducing mortality from poisoning.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the relation between factors affecting animal bite poisoning and patients’ clinical outcomes.

Methods: A descriptive correlational research design was employed to achieve the study's aim. The study was conducted at the emergency department of Assiut General Hospital, an Egyptian Ministry of Health-affiliated hospital. The study included a purposive sample of 104 adult patients with snake and scorpion bites who were admitted to the previously mentioned setting. Data collection tools included the Sociodemographic Characteristics Assessment Questionnaire, Dunbar Scale for Animal Bite Patterns, Poisoning Severity Score, and Clinical Outcomes Assessment Record.

Results: The current study reveals that 39.5% of the studied patients were in the age group 30-≤45, and 51.9% were males. The results showed that 42.4% of the studied patients had level 2 of animal bites, and 32.7% of them had moderate severity of poisoning. Furthermore, 98.1% and 96.2% of patients survived without tissue damage, respectively. In addition, a relationship was found between the level of animal bites and the clinical outcomes of patients (infection, shock), and a statistically significant relationship was observed between the severity of animal bites and certain clinical outcomes, including death, infection, tetanus, loss of function, scarring, tissue damage, shock, and osteomyelitis.

Conclusion: The study findings indicate that the severity of animal bites significantly affects patient clinical outcomes, including death, infection, tetanus, loss of function, scarring, tissue damage, shock, and osteomyelitis. Additionally, the level of animal bites significantly impacts patient clinical outcomes. The study recommends implementing an appropriate educational program to raise public and family awareness of animal bites and first-aid practices, as well as guidelines for preventing and avoiding animal bites to save lives.