JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Snakebite envenoming is an important yet neglected public health problem that predominantly affects rural populations living in tropical countries. Globally, an estimated 5.4 million people have snakebites, leading to approximately 81,410–137,880 deaths annually, indicating digital health interventions may be novel solutions to enhance snakebite management and reduce mortality.

Objective:

The objective of this scoping review was to find, analyze, and synthesize evidence about existing digital health interventions, particularly mobile health applications, for the management of snakebites in various geographical regions.

Methods:

A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate following the PRISMA 2024 guidelines. We further searched on Google Search Engine and Google Play Store. The review used mobile apps that offered structured guidance for snakebite management and was published in English. Data were extracted by paying attention to application features, functions, and user experiences.

Results:

Our search identified 19 studies that evaluated 16 mobile health applications spanning five countries (India, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, and Sri Lanka). Of the 16 applications examined, the vast majority provided free access (15/16), with 10 of the 16 being Android-based and 6 supporting both Android and iOS platforms. The phone app featured snake species identification, first aid protocols, mapping anti-venom stock, and emergency contact information, including multilingual support. Patient user feedback also suggested a positive impact in terms of applications delivering important information and connecting patients to medical support.

Conclusions:

Digital health interventions, especially mobile applications, are promising for overcoming snakebite management challenges through timely access to information, localizing emergency care, and enhancing health service delivery. However, challenges, like accessibility in remote areas, reliability, and the need for continual updating, must be overcome. This will include integrating artificial intelligence to facilitate the collaborative sharing of available data and inform policy and programs for the greatest impact in achieving the 2030 Global Snakebite Initiative target of reducing snakebite mortality.