Abstract
Rabies is still a deadly disease, but it is 100% preventable through vaccination. In 2016, Senegal notified 1214 cases of dog bites. In the same year, the district of Sokone recorded 50 cases of dog bites, of which 31.2% of the cases were notified in the region of Fatick. The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of communities and healthcare providers when faced with a case of exposure to rabies in Sokone health district. This quantitative estimation study is of a descriptive cross-sectional type, which took place during the third quarter of 2017. It targeted the community and health care providers in the Sokone health district. Three-stage cluster sampling was carried out in the community. The recruitment of healthcare providers has been comprehensive. A questionnaire was administered to the community in the form of individual interviews and another questionnaire was sent to health care providers in the form of self-administration. Knowledge, attitude and practice rating grids were developed for the two categories of interviewees. Data entry and analysis was done with Epi Info 3.5.3 software and R 3.3.1. Out of 813 community members surveyed, 6.8% had already been bitten by an animal. A good level of knowledge about rabies was found in 22.4% of the community members. The attitude to a bite was correct for 94.1%. Of the 38 healthcare providers surveyed, only 5.6% had a good understanding of rabies. No provider knew the indications for rabies vaccination and the post-exposure vaccination schedule. In the Sokone health district, communities knew little about rabies. Healthcare providers who are supposed to inform and supervise them in the fight against rabies know less about it. Strengthening the skills of healthcare staff in dealing with bites exposing them to rabies is of urgency in the Sokone health district.
Highlights
IntroductionIn the third millennium BC, the Laws of Eshunna in Babylon stated: “If the fact that a dog is mad is brought to the attention of its owner, if the dog is not kept at home and bites someone causing his death, the owner will have to pay 40 silver coins
Rabies is one of the oldest known diseases
The objective of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of communities and healthcare providers when faced with a case of exposure to rabies in Sokone health district
Summary
In the third millennium BC, the Laws of Eshunna in Babylon stated: “If the fact that a dog is mad is brought to the attention of its owner, if the dog is not kept at home and bites someone causing his death, the owner will have to pay 40 silver coins. Human rabies is a serious disease; once symptoms appear, it is always fatal [2]. It is responsible for 59,000 deaths and 90% of cases occur in Africa and Asia. The dog is responsible for 99% of rabies cases and the victims are children under 15 years of age in 30% to 50% of cases [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
