Evaluation of knowledge and practice of dog bite management among rural population

Abstract

Aim:A survey was conducted to evaluate  the knowledge and practices on rabies and dog bite management among rural people attended along with their patients at VIMS Pawapuri from December 2019 to October  2020 for dog bite.Material and method:A total of 50 people were surveyed. Result :It was noted that most of  the dogs were street dogs (80%) and 62% of the dogs were never given any antirabies vaccine. Vaccination was regularly followed in 14% and only during the free camps in 24% of the dogs. In the present survey, people known about the fatality of rabies was 100% and dog bite as the route of transmission was 90%, but they had only 22% knowledge on under observation of suspected dog for rabies for 10 days. Awareness level on post exposure prophylaxis in dog-bitten cases was little low, viz., 20% people know thorough wound washing, 32% about application of antiseptic, and 20% about administration of tetanus toxoid. Majority of the people (92%) stated that the wound should be closed. Knowledge on active immunization is 100% but follow immediately after exposure in 24% of the cases. Some people (34%) were preferred traditional treatment. Nobody knows about the passive immunization.Conclusion: It was concluded that even though people know something about rabies transmission and post exposure prophylaxis, awareness must be strengthened to increase the vaccination of their dogs regularly,  thorough wound washing for 10-15 minutes, application of antiseptics, administration of tetanus toxoid, immediate active immunization by consulting the physician, not closing the dog bitten wound and need of passive immunization.