Assessment of public knowledge, attitude and practices towards rabies in Debark Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on rabies and associated risk factors among the community of Debark district, North Gonder, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. For this cross-sectional study, a simple random sampling procedure was employed to select kebeles. From the list of kebeles, six were randomly selected using lottery method. Then, 70 households were selected and interviewed from each kebeles using systematic random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data through face-to-face interviews among 422 respondents. Then, the data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20. The frequency distribution of both dependent and independent variables were worked out by using descriptive statistics technique (Frequencies, mean, SD and percentage). Association between independent variables and KAP scores on rabies was calculated using Pearson’s Chi square. Out of 416 respondents interviewed, 240 (57.7 %%) of them were males and 176 (42.3%) females. 151 (36.3%) of the respondents were between 15 to 29, 153(36.8%) were between 30 to 45 and 112 (26.9%) were >45 years old. The majority of the respondents 391 (94.0%) were Orthodox Christians. Almost all of the respondents indicated that they had previously heard about rabies. Out of this 251 (60.3%) had good level of KAP on rabies. There was strong association between KAP scores and educational level; occupation and sex (p<0.05). Generally, these findings indicate that the Debark Woreda community has good knowledge about rabies. However, a need for further awareness creation on the attitude and practice for appropriate prevention and treatment measure. Therefore, Veterinarians and health professionals should prepare and deliver continuous and strategic community awareness programs on prevention and control of rabies in the study area. Key words: Attitude, debark district, Ethiopia, knowledge, practice, rabies.