Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dog Owners towards Rabies in Dilla Town, Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Rabies is a fatal animal disease of significant public health importance. Domestic dogs are the main reservoir and transmitter of this disease particularly in developing countries. Even though rabies is a highly fatal disease, it is a preventable disease. Dog owners’ awareness about rabies is one of the key components for prevention. Thus, study to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) with respect to rabies in Dilla town, Gedeo zone, Southern, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2023 to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dog owners towards rabies in Dilla town, Gedeo zone, Sothern Ethiopia. A structured closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the data through face-to-face interviews with 384 respondents. The data were then analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20. This study showed that almost all (84.6%) surveyed individuals were aware of rabies. Bite was known as a mode of rabies transmission by the majority of the respondents (67.7%) with considerable means of transmission through wound contact with the saliva of diseased animals. A sudden change of behavior was described as a major clinical sign of rabies in animals by the majority of the respondents (28.1%) Most participants (87.8%) responded that they would seek treatment from a doctor or health center after first aid and that they would go immediately following exposure and the majority of the respondents (72.2%) indicated crossing a river before 40 days after a dog bite increases severity of the disease. In total, knowledge, attitude, and practice related to rabies 83.9%, 84.4%, and 71.8% of participants had good knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice towards rabies respectively. In conclusion rabies was found to be well-known by dog owners of Dilla town. However, knowledge, attitude, and practices in the prevention and control of rabies were limited. Education and training of on rabies about possible sources of infection, mode of transmission, and measures to be taken after exposure is very important in the study area.