Treatment compliance of self-reported dog bite cases attending outpatient department of Tertiary Care Hospital, Maharashtra

Abstract

Objectives: To assess treatment compliance of self-reported dog bite cases and to assess associated demographic and exposure factors. Materials and Methods: The present prospective study was conducted during January 2013 to July 2013 among 260 dog bite cases by purposive sampling at the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. After obtaining verbal informed consent, a predesigned questionnaire was used. The assessment of treatment compliance of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen was considered on the basis of intramuscular anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) regimen by classifying completed PEP and defaulted PEP. At the end of PEP regimen of every participant, we obtained information about received ARV doses using telephone survey method. Data were analyzed using statistical software Epi info Version 7. Results: Of 260 dog bite cases, 76.5% cases were completed PEP. The majority, 22.3% cases from age group ≤10 years, 56.2% males, 48.1% from urban area, 25% had primary school education, 32.7% students, 53.8% had bite mark on lower limb, 58.5% were category III exposure, and 70.8% who had received previously immunization against rabies, were completed PEP. The bite due to 54.6% pet dog, 58.1% observable dog, 40% provoked bite, 71.9% cases who had not known about the rabid status of the dog, were completed PEP. The unconditional logistic regression analysis found that demographic and exposure factors were not independently associated with treatment compliance ( P > 0.05) except literacy status (P < 0.05). The present study showed maximum completed PEP cases, however, it showed the demographic and exposure factors of dog bite cases were not independently associated with treatment compliance except literacy status.