A KAP Study on Dog Bite and Its Management in a Rural Community — Need for Increasing the Awareness

Abstract

Objectives: To access knowledge, attitude, and practices about dog bites and their management in the rural community of Maharashtra. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an identified rural community with a sample size of 279 using systematic random sampling data was collected using personal interview using pretested questionnaire and descriptive and inferential statistics was applied. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 42.8±7.5 years and the majority (68.8%) were male and 31.2% were female. 72.4% didn't have any pet dog and all (100.0%) have experienced a dog bite for themselves or anyone in the family in their lifetime. The majority (93.4%) have described rabies illness and 100% correctly know that the main animal of rabies in India is a dog and the correct mode of disease transmission. However, only 7.9% know the most common age group affected. The majority (59.1%) have heard about the anti-rabies vaccine. Awareness of anti-rabies vaccine varies in different groups based on their educational qualification and Pearson's chi-square value was statistically significant. Vaccination of pet dogs as a periodic activity to prevent rabies has been strongly disagreed by 22.2% of participants. 23.3% strongly agreed that stray dogs are a social nuisance. The majority 24.7% have disagreed with the implementation of the Animal Birth Control program. The relationship between the level of education and attitude towards native/traditional healers in preventing rabies after a dog bite was significant (p<0.05). It was also found that the following dog bite only 28.0% would like to wash the wound with soap and water following a dog bite. Conclusion: There exists a considerable gap in knowledge attitudes and practices about Dog bites and their management. Increasing the awareness, and changing the attitude and beliefs among the study population is the need of the hour, Accordingly Regular IEC activities to be planned at various centers Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practices, Dog bite, Management