Post-exposure Rabies Prophylaxis for Children in Southern Turkey.

Abstract

To evaluate the prophylaxis practices used on children with animal exposures in a major southern city of Turkey, close to the Syrian border. Cross-sectional study. Emergency and Outpatient departments, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Turkey between September 2017 and September 2018. The demographic data of the patients, who presented due to animal contact; the interval between animal contact and hospital presentation; species of exposed animals, type, and apparent condition of the animals; risk categories based on national assessment scale; the number of rabies vaccines and anti-rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) administrations; administration of tetanus prophylaxis; adherence of patients to the follow-up schedule; vaccine refusals; and development of rabies disease (if any), were recorded. Of the 2,068 presentations after animal exposure, 906 (43.8%) were children, mostly boys (62%), and the mean age was 97.15 ± 57.68 months. Risky contact was most frequently caused by cats (52.8%) and dogs (45.6%). Exposure to stray animals was the most common (58.5%). For serial prophylaxis vaccinations, 761 (83.99%) families were in full compliance and 145 (16%) families had discontinued vaccinations. The discontinuation rate of the immigrant population was significantly higher (p = 0.001). Risky contacts were mostly due to stray animals. Efforts to minimise the stray animal population should be increased. The rate of discontinuation of rabies prophylaxis follow-ups was 16%. Significantly higher prophylaxis discontinuation among the immigrant population was noted. Key Words: Rabies, Vaccines, Prophylaxis, Turkey.