A Comparative Study on Rabies Prophylaxis in Anti-Rabies Clinic between a Secondary and Tertiary Care Hospital in Bengaluru City

Abstract

Rabies can be prevented by appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). It is assumed that the healthcare providers starting in tertiary care, secondary care and primary care are up-to-date in administration of PEP. However, due to reasons like non-affordability and non-availability of rabies immunobiologicals, manpower shortage, etc., there are issues in administration of PEP. The primary objective of this study was to compare rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in ARC in a secondary care and tertiary care hospital. This prospective comparative study was conducted from March to May 2016 in anti-rabies clinic of one tertiary and secondary care hospital selected through purposive sampling .The animal bite cases attending these clinics during study period were the subjects. Only 21.5% of category-III bites were administered rabies immunoglobulin in secondary care hospital whereas 96% of category-III bites were administered rabies immunoglobulin in the tertiary care hospital. 100% and 89% of subjects were administered anti-rabies vaccine in the secondary care and tertiary care hospital respectively. The median age of subjects in secondary care was 22 years (range: 1-75 years) and tertiary care 8 years (range: 2-70 years). 54% and 63% of bite victims were males in secondary and tertiary care hospital respectively. Majority were students by occupation in both hospitals. Rabies prophylaxis was satisfactory in the tertiary care hospital compared to secondary hospital.