Информированность населения Республики Татарстан по вопросам эпидемиологии и профилактики бешенства

Abstract

The level of population awareness and alertness in the prevention of rabies, as well as the organization of anti-rabies prevention for the population, is an important factor that plays a role in the development of the epidemic process of this disease. Therefore, we conducted a study to assess the awareness of the population in the Tatarstan Republic on the rabies epidemiology and prevention. Materials and methods. An anonymous online survey of the population permanently residing in the Tatarstan Republic (n=105) was conducted. Categorical data is presented as percentages (%) and absolute values. Results. 32 men (30.5%) and 73 women (69.5%) took part in the survey. The age of the respondents was 18-66 years, the median age was 26 years [Q1-Q3=23-30 years]. 88.6% of respondents live in the city (93/105), 11.4% (12/105) – in the rural area. 91.4% of respondents (96/105) believe that rabies can be infected through bites, scratches, and salivation by animals; only 59.0% (62/105) know that infection can occur when animal saliva gets on wounds. Only 66.7% of respondents (70/105) know about the existence of an anti-rabies vaccine. 60.0% (63/105) of respondents have pets, but among them only two thirds (65.1%, 41/63) have vaccinated their pets against rabies. A third of the respondents (35.2%, 37/105) experienced contact with an animal (bite or salvation of a wound). Among those who had contact with animals, more than half (54.1%, 20/37) did not seek medical help after the injury. Among the respondents who did not apply to a medical organization for help after the injury (n=20), only 45.0% of people suffered from vaccinated animals. 10.0% of respondents suffered from unvaccinated animals. In other cases, the vaccination status of the animal was unknown (45.0%). Conclusion. The study demonstrated an insufficient awareness in the rabies prevention and a low rate of seeking medical help in population after injury received from animals.