Assessment of the level of knowledge of rabies and prophylaxis for rabies among medical senior students

Abstract

Objective: Rabies is a zoonotic disease with acute, progressive viral encephalitis that affects both human and animal health. In our study, it was aimed to measure the level of knowledge about rabies and prophylaxis of senior students of the faculty of medicine. 
 Methods: The study population was 163 students in their final year during the academic year 2019–2020. The participants were interviewed face to face and filled the required questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed based on the Guide for Rabies Prophylaxis published in 2019 by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health.
 Results: In our study, 88.34% (n=114) of the participants did not have sufficient knowledge about rabies pre-contact indications. It was determined that 64.4% (n= 105) of the participants had insufficient knowledge about the effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis. In addition, it was determined that indications for starting antibiotics after rabies exposure of 66.24% (n=108) of the participants and 29% (n=) rabies vaccine/ human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) application indications and 46% (n=75) did not know the method of application and the area where it was applied.
 Conclusion: It was determined that the senior students of the faculty of medicine did not have sufficient information about rabies and prophylaxis.