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Potet J, Beran D, Ray N, Alcoba G, Habib AG, Iliyasu G, Waldmann B, Ralph R, Faiz MA, Monteiro WM, de Almeida Gonçalves Sachett J, di Fabio JL, Cortés MDLÁ, Brown NI, Williams DJ. Access to antivenoms in the developing world: A multidisciplinary analysis. Toxicon X 2021; 12:100086. [PMID: 34786555 PMCID: PMC8578041 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to safe, effective, quality-assured antivenom products that are tailored to endemic venomous snake species is a crucial component of recent coordinated efforts to reduce the global burden of snakebite envenoming. Multiple access barriers may affect the journey of antivenoms from manufacturers to the bedsides of patients. Our review describes the antivenom ecosystem at different levels and identifies solutions to overcome these challenges. At the global level, there is insufficient manufacturing output to meet clinical needs, notably for antivenoms intended for use in regions with a scarcity of producers. At national level, variable funding and deficient regulation of certain antivenom markets can lead to the procurement of substandard antivenom. This is particularly true when producers fail to seek registration of their products in the countries where they should be used, or where weak assessment frameworks allow registration without local clinical evaluation. Out-of-pocket expenses by snakebite victims are often the main source of financing antivenoms, which results in the underuse or under-dosing of antivenoms, and a preference for low-cost products regardless of efficacy. In resource-constrained rural areas, where the majority of victims are bitten, supply of antivenom in peripheral health facilities is often unreliable. Misconceptions about treatment of snakebite envenoming are common, further reducing demand for antivenom and exacerbating delays in reaching facilities equipped for antivenom use. Multifaceted interventions are needed to improve antivenom access in resource-limited settings. Particular attention should be paid to the comprehensive list of actions proposed within the WHO Strategy for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Potet
- Médecins Sans Frontières Access Campaign, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Beran
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Ray
- GeoHealth Group, Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Alcoba
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Medical Department, Operational Center Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abdulrazaq Garba Habib
- Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Health Science, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
| | - Garba Iliyasu
- Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Health Science, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
| | | | - Ravikar Ralph
- Department of Internal Medicine & Poisons Information Center, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro
- Department of Research, Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Brazil
- School of Health Sciences, Universidade Do Estado Do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Nicholas I. Brown
- Global Snakebite Initiative, 19 Haig Street, Ashgrove, Qld, 4060, Australia
- University of Queensland, Australia
| | - David J. Williams
- Global Snakebite Initiative, 19 Haig Street, Ashgrove, Qld, 4060, Australia
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Chuat M, Alcoba G, Eyong J, Wanda F, Comte E, Nkwescheu A, Chappuis F, Hudelson P. Dealing with snakebite in rural Cameroon: A qualitative investigation among victims and traditional healers. Toxicon X 2021; 9-10:100072. [PMID: 34337385 PMCID: PMC8313737 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) affecting rural and remote populations globally, who are additionally burdened by poverty and the lack of effective healthcare systems. Delayed healthcare and use of traditional treatments are very frequent. The purpose of our study was to explore perceptions of snakes, impact of snakebite, and knowledge and opinions of different snakebite treatments with the aim of identifying opportunities for improving snakebite management. METHODS This is a qualitative descriptive study based on semi-structured interviews with 21 snakebite victims and 4 traditional healers in 4 villages of Akonolinga health district, Center Region, Cameroon. Analysis focused on describing participants' perceptions of snakes, the impact of snakebite on the victims' lives, and their opinions of different treatment options. RESULTS Respondents were fearful of snakes and knowledgeable about envenoming symptoms and treatments. The experience of snakebite led to increased vigilance and avoidance behaviours, which sometimes resulted in financial loss for the victims. A range of traditional treatments were described, including tourniquets, black-stone application and medicinal plant decoctions. However, opinions were ambivalent regarding their efficacy, depending especially on previous personal experiences. Still, traditional treatments were said to be more available and cheaper than hospital care, and in particular, than antivenom. Nevertheless, most victims preferred hospital treatment if the financial and transportation barriers were lifted. Both snakebite victims and traditional healers were of the opinion that collaboration between health services and traditional healers could help to improve snakebite management and outcomes. CONCLUSION Our study shows that snakebite victims are in favour of using antivenom for the treatment of snakebite and would welcome better access to it. However, its current unavailability and high cost pushes them to turn to traditional treatments. On the other hand, traditional healers are in favour of collaborating with health facilities. These results are very encouraging for the improvement of snakebite management in Cameroon along the lines of the WHO Snakebite Envenoming Strategy for Prevention and Control: ensuring access to safe and effective treatment, and increasing partnership and coordination between communities, traditional healers, and conventional caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Chuat
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206, Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gabriel Alcoba
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- Medical Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Rue de Lausanne 78, 1211, Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Justin Eyong
- Centre International de Recherches, D'Enseignements et de Soins en Milieu Tropical (CIRES), CIRES BP 11, Akonolinga, Akonolinga, Cameroon
- Cameroon Society of Epidemiology (CaSE), Yaoundé, BP, 1411, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Franck Wanda
- Centre International de Recherches, D'Enseignements et de Soins en Milieu Tropical (CIRES), CIRES BP 11, Akonolinga, Akonolinga, Cameroon
| | - Eric Comte
- Centre International de Recherches, D'Enseignements et de Soins en Milieu Tropical (CIRES), CIRES BP 11, Akonolinga, Akonolinga, Cameroon
| | - Armand Nkwescheu
- Cameroon Society of Epidemiology (CaSE), Yaoundé, BP, 1411, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Melen, Yaoundé, BP, 1364, Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - François Chappuis
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Hudelson
- Department of Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205, Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
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