Community Empowerment for Prevention and Management of Rabies in Dogs in Carangsari Village, Petang District, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Rabies, which was first reported in Bali in 2008, is now endemic and cannot be eradicated properly due to many related factors. An important factor in successfully eradicating this disease on the island is the full involvement of the local community. Therefore, this study aims to determine the knowledge and attitudes of the local community in controlling rabies in three out of ten randomly selected villages from the Carangsari sub-district. Although the village was previously considered a red zone, the number of rabies cases reported has greatly decreased. In this observational study, a census of all surveyed household heads on how to handle rabies was used to ensure the sustainability of local communities to carry out good practices in dealing with the disease. Three local officers were selected from each village and trained in basic knowledge related to dog management, rabies control, and animal welfare. They were then asked to conduct a survey and practice their knowledge by better controlling the local community. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively and descriptively and presented in tabular form. In the selected villages, 234 households were found, but only 74 (32.1%) kept dogs, with a total of 153 consisting of 110 locals and 43 mixed/breed dogs. Most of the villagers surveyed have general knowledge about rabies management and the application of animal welfare principles, which will be beneficial for reducing disease in the area. Furthermore, villagers’ involvement is considered an important factor applicable in other places where rabies is still a problem. However, government funding for vaccines and relevant technical support is required.