Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37747844›Full record

ArticlePloS one2023

Barriers and opportunities for improving management of snakebites: Perspectives of healthcare workers in Northern Uganda.

Solomon T Wafula, Lydia N Namakula, Lesley R Ninsiima, Noah Kiwanuka Ssekamatte, Abel W Walekhwa, Innocent B Mugume, David Musoke

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
5.3field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
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  4. Treatment and treatment outcomes of snakebite envenoming in Uganda: a retrospective analysis.Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.

Solomon T WafulaDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID 0000-0002-6405-015X
Lydia N NamakulaDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID 0000-0002-3900-7504
Lesley R NinsiimaDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Noah Kiwanuka SsekamatteDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Abel W WalekhwaDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Innocent B MugumeMinistry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID 0000-0002-7006-4718
David MusokeDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID 0000-0003-3262-3918
Makerere University · UGMinistry of Health · UGUniversity of Cambridge · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSnakebites are a neglected public health problem that pose a significant burden on affected individuals and communities in many sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda. However, the barriers and facilitators to snakebite management within healthcare settings are not as well understood and well-documented. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of healthcare workers involved in handling snakebite incidents at individual and health system levels in Arua and Gulu districts in Northern Uganda. We sought to understand how healthcare workers manage snakebite cases, what challenges they encounter, and what opportunities they perceive for improvement.

methodsWe conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 18 healthcare workers from different cadres, seniority levels, and facility types. We used iterative thematic analysis to explore the management procedures, challenges, and opportunities for snakebite management. Using thematic analysis, we identified the overarching themes and subthemes related to snakebite management and associated barriers and opportunities.

resultsThe main barriers to snakebite management identified by healthcare workers were inadequate knowledge and skills; limited availability of antivenom; lack of protocols for snakebite management; delayed treatment-seeking for patients; and poor referral systems. The main opportunities for improvement were regular in-service training; increasing public education and awareness about snakebite prevention and management; and increased funding and research.

conclusionThis study highlights the need for interventions to address the identified barriers while leveraging the existing opportunities to enhance snakebite management in Uganda. Specifically, we recommend the provision of regular training and support to healthcare workers, developing clinical guidelines, and improving the availability of antivenoms.

Indexed as

Health Services AccessibilitySnake BitesAntiveninsAttitude of Health PersonnelBlack PeopleHealth PersonnelHumansUgandaAntivenins

Identifiers

PMID37747844
PMCPMC10519583
OpenAlexW4387025451

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.