Management of Snakebite and Research Management of Snakebite ...

wearing in a day. Affordability of the boots and future intention of continually using them
were also enquired.
RESULTS
Acceptability Study of Protective Boots Among Farmers of Taungdwingyi Township
A total of 180 farmers aged between 26-61 years, from five villages of Taungdwingyi
Township participated in the study. The sex ratio is 163 (91%) male: 17 (9%) female. Fifty
one percent (92/180) are farm owners and 49% (88/180) daily-wage workers.
Predistribution survey on knowledge on the use of
protective boots
Ninety-eight percent (177/180) knew snakebite could be prevented by working in the
field with boots, however, only 72% (129/180) wore them at work in the field and 28%
(51/180) did not. Among boot-users, 62% (80/129) prefer knee-length boot, 29% (38/
129) ankle-length boot and 9% (11/129) assorted shoes. At present, 88% (114/129) wear
locally available rubber boots and could work with them on for 5-9 hours a day in spite of
discomfort in 12% (15/129). Eighty-eight percent (114/129) thought that it was convenient
to wear the boots and 97% (125/129) mainly wore them during harvesting crops. The
price of the local rubber boots is 300 kyats per pair. The reasons for failing to wear boots
are 64.7% (33/51) could not afford to buy it, 21.6% (11/51) inconvenience at work and
13.7% (7/51) on traditional believe. Ninety-four percent (170/180) of them did not take
any protective measures against snakebite in the field. Ninety-seven percent (175/180)
would like to take part in acceptability boot trial if provided free of charge. In future, 96%
(49/51) of non-boot users would like to wear boot namely 65% (32/49) the trial boot, 22%
(11/49) knee-length rubber boots and 8% (4/49) ankle-length rubber boots.
Post-distribution survey on use of the boots
Ninety-nine percent (179/180) enjoyed wearing the trial boots provided, since these are
light 6% (11/180) and comfortable and provide a sense of total protection against snakebite
91% (164/180). Ninety-eight percent (176/180) wore the boots during harvesting and
walking in the field. Eighty-six percent (154/179) could work with the boots on for 5-9
hours continuously and 14% (25/179) intermittently. Nine percent of the users complained
of local pain whereas 91% (159/175) did not.
The main advantages of working with the trial boots are: ability to work for a longer
time than before with comfort and the assurance of complete protection against snakebite
100% (171/171).
On comparing the trial boots and in-use boots, 99% (141/143) prefer to wear the
former in future and 1% the latter. They also intend to continue wearing them (99%, 179/
180) after the trial even if these are not provided free of charge. Ninety-nine percent (178/
180) could afford to buy them at 250 Kyats per pair and 1% (2/180) prefered a lower price
of 150 or 200 Kyats per pair.
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