Public Knowledge and Attitude toward First-Aid Management of Snakebites, and the Perception of Snakes among Residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Khalid Sultan Alrougi; Abdullah A. Almogbil; Leen M. Aljabri; Manar S. Alkhedaidi; Bakur F. Hennawi; Hussam I. Isa; Saud A. Alshamrani; Israa E. Refai; and Mohammad M. Alkot

doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

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Original Article
Online Published: 20 Jan 2026

IJMDC. 2026; 10(1): 133-141

doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Khalid Sultan Alrougi, Abdullah A. Almogbil, Leen M. Aljabri, Manar S. Alkhedaidi, Bakur F. Hennawi, Hussam I. Isa, Saud A. Alshamrani, Israa E. Refai, And Mohammad M. Alkot.

Abstract
Background: Snakebite envenomation remains an important public health issue in many regions, including Saudi Arabia, where both venomous and non-venomous species are found. Despite its clinical importance, limited data exist on public awareness and attitudes toward snakebite management. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and first-aid practices related to snakebite management among residents of Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 486 participants using a structured online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of snakebite first aid, attitudes toward snakes, and fear levels. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results: Most respondents were female (70.4%) and primarily aged 20–30 years (64.7%). While the majority recognized that first aid is necessary (94.7%) and that a snakebite victim should be taken to the hospital immediately (94.2%), misconceptions persisted, with 47.4% believing in cutting or sucking the bite. Overall, 40.9% demonstrated high knowledge, 39.9% had moderate knowledge, and 19.1% showed low knowledge. Training significantly improved both knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.001). Males exhibited more positive attitudes (mean = 3.46 ± 1.70) and significantly lower fear (OR = 0.105, p < 0.001) compared to females. A strong positive relationship was observed between knowledge and attitude (R² = 0. 8967).
Conclusion: Although general awareness regarding snakebite management was satisfactory, misconceptions and fear remain prevalent. Formal first-aid training significantly enhances both knowledge and confidence. Public health programs should prioritize community-based education to dispel myths, reduce fear, and promote correct snakebite first-aid practices in Saudi Arabia.

Key words: Snakebite, first Aid, envenomation, attitudes.

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Pubmed Style

Alrougi KS, Almogbil AA, Aljabri LM, Alkhedaidi MS, Hennawi BF, Isa HI, Alshamrani SA, Refai IE, Alkot AMM. Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. 2026; 10(1): 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

Web Style

Alrougi KS, Almogbil AA, Aljabri LM, Alkhedaidi MS, Hennawi BF, Isa HI, Alshamrani SA, Refai IE, Alkot AMM. Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=302663 [Access: January 25, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alrougi KS, Almogbil AA, Aljabri LM, Alkhedaidi MS, Hennawi BF, Isa HI, Alshamrani SA, Refai IE, Alkot AMM. Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. 2026; 10(1): 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alrougi KS, Almogbil AA, Aljabri LM, Alkhedaidi MS, Hennawi BF, Isa HI, Alshamrani SA, Refai IE, Alkot AMM. Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. (2026), [cited January 25, 2026]; 10(1): 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

Harvard Style

Alrougi, K. S., Almogbil, . A. A., Aljabri, . L. M., Alkhedaidi, . M. S., Hennawi, . B. F., Isa, . H. I., Alshamrani, . S. A., Refai, . I. E. & Alkot, . A. M. M. (2026) Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. IJMDC, 10 (1), 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

Turabian Style

Alrougi, Khalid Sultan, Abdullah A. Almogbil, Leen M. Aljabri, Manar S. Alkhedaidi, Bakur F. Hennawi, Hussam I. Isa, Saud A. Alshamrani, Israa E. Refai, and And Mohammad M. Alkot. 2026. Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (1), 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

Chicago Style

Alrougi, Khalid Sultan, Abdullah A. Almogbil, Leen M. Aljabri, Manar S. Alkhedaidi, Bakur F. Hennawi, Hussam I. Isa, Saud A. Alshamrani, Israa E. Refai, and And Mohammad M. Alkot. "Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alrougi, Khalid Sultan, Abdullah A. Almogbil, Leen M. Aljabri, Manar S. Alkhedaidi, Bakur F. Hennawi, Hussam I. Isa, Saud A. Alshamrani, Israa E. Refai, and And Mohammad M. Alkot. "Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.1 (2026), 133-141. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alrougi, K. S., Almogbil, . A. A., Aljabri, . L. M., Alkhedaidi, . M. S., Hennawi, . B. F., Isa, . H. I., Alshamrani, . S. A., Refai, . I. E. & Alkot, . A. M. M. (2026) Public knowledge and attitude toward first-aid management of snakebites, and the perception of snakes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (1), 133-141. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1765356411

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