Knowledge and Attitude of Mothers Regarding Rabies and its Preventive Measure

Abstract

Background: Rabies is acute viral disease of the nervous system caused by Rhabdo viridaeLyssa virus present in saliva of rabid animals. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge andattitude of mothers regarding rabies and its preventive measures. Research design: A descriptive crosssectional study will be conducted in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Maternal andChild Health Center (B) at Benha City. Sample: Simple random sample was used included 360mothers. Tools of data collection: A structured interviewing questionnaire was used to assessdemographic data of the studied mothers, mothers’ knowledge about rabies, and mothers’ attitudetoward rabies. Results: 41.4% of the studied mothers aged 40 years and more, 41.7% of mothers hadsecondary educational level. 93.1% of the studied mothers had poor knowledge score. 57.5% of thestudied mothers had indifferent total attitude score. There were a highly statistically significantrelations between demographic characteristics of the studied mothers and their age, educational level,occupation and family income and family size (p between the studied mothers' attitude and their socio demographic characteristics (age, educationallevel, occupation, residence, family income and family size) (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was a highlystatistically significant correlation between total knowledge and attitudes of the studied mothers relatedto rabies (P<0.001). Recommendations: Health educational program should be developed andimplemented for mothers about rabies to educate them with the most current information and attitudeabout the disease and its preventive measures. Booklets should be available and distributed to allmothers about the disease and health-related practices. All possible forms of mass media such as T.V.,Radio, and posters are needed to help in disseminating information about rabies.