A survey on exposure to rabies among the primary school student in the area with a high incidence of rabies in China

Abstract

To understand the current situation and characteristics of potential rabies exposure to primary school students in the area with a high incidence of rabies of China, and to provide evidence for developing the intervention measures. A population-based investigation was conducted in Guizhou and Guangdong provinces which had been the severe rabies epidemic areas in southern China. Two urban primary schools, two county schools, four township schools and four village schools were selected in the 2 provinces. Samples of the students were from each grade of the 12 schools for their potential rabies exposure information. Among 2408 primary school students being interviewed, 290 person-times exposure were found during January of 2007 to May of 2008. The total exposure rate in the observed students in 2007 was 9.22%, but higher in Guizhou province (16.92%) The rate of exposure was higher in male students than in female, and was also higher in the students from rural than from the urban areas. More exposures were seen in summer season, from June to August. The kinds of animals that causing the exposures would include dogs (74.14%) and cats (25.86%). 32.07% of the total exposures were related to playing with animals. Arms and legs were the most affected areas of the body including, 37.59% of the wounds appeared below the knees. The rate of potential rabies exposure was high in primary school students, especially in the rural areas. Playing with dogs and cats appeared to be the major behavior causing the exposures among the students.