ABSTRACT
Background
In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) asked member states to assess the burden of animal-related injuries. Tanzania is among the countries without adequate data. This study sought to assess the burden of venomous bites and stings in a rural Tanzanian setting.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted in February 2024 to collect information from 29 selected primary health care centers (PHCs) in a rural setting. We used a checklist to retrieve data on venomous bites and stings from 2019 to 2023 from patient records.
Results
Of the 476,928 patient records examined, 212 (0.04%) were identified as cases of venomous bites and stings. Most cases (north= 72, 34%) occurred among people aged 25 to 44 years, and 111 (52%) were men. Snake bites accounted for the largest proportion of cases (north= 63, 30%), followed by bee stings (north= 27, 13%), wasp stings (north= 15, 7%), and scorpion stings (north= 14, 7%). The number of recorded venomous bites and stings ranged from 30 in 2019 to 61 in 2023.
Conclusion
Despite their overall low incidence, the increasing trend of venomous bites and stings highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted prevention efforts.
Kilonzi, M., Makoye, P.M., Aiko, B., Hyuha, G., Kiwango, G., Nyamle, N.,… Sirili, N. (2025). Venomous bites and stings in rural Tanzania: a retrospective cohort study. Toxicology Communications, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/24734306.2025.2574795
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