Knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding Rabies among community in Santhiveli Grama Niladhary division, Kiran medical officer of health area, Batticaloa 

Abstract

Introduction:Rabies is one of the 100% fatal disease after the clinical signs developed. The goal of the Ministryof Health isto reduce the number of human deaths from rabies to zero by 2020. Community awareness and responsible behaviorof pet owners are the key factors to achieve this goal. Objectives:The study was aimed to assess the public knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding rabies in Santhiveli Grama Niladhary division, Kiran medical officer of health area, Batticaloa. Method:This descriptive cross-sectional study was carriedout for a period of one year, communityinSanthiveli Grama Niladhary(GN) division, Kiran Medical Officer of Health(MOH)area, Batticaloa.Simple random sampling method was used to select sample.After obtainedthe written consent, datawere collected through a pre-designed and modified Interviewer Administered Questionnaire (IAQ). Collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results:A total of 380 respondents were interviewed, of which 176 (46.3%) were pet owners and204 (53.7%) were non-pet owners. The majority (47.6%)of the respondents had moderate knowledge regarding rabies,majority(59.1%) of thepet owners had good level of attitudes onpet care and 75.0% of the respondents had good attitudesregarding stray dog management. Only 27.6% of the individuals had good practice in case of animal bite.There was a significant association between knowledge of rabies and following socio-demographic characteristics; age, education level and occupationand there was a significant differencesbetweenattitudes and education level, occupation.These findings also indicated that a knowledge gap was existedabout rabies in the community that could be improved bycreating an awarenessprogram. Conclusion:Overall knowledge and practice regarding the rabies was inadequate although attitudes regarding the rabies wereadequate among the study sample.In the general, attitudesregarding stray dog management of the subjects were not associated with socio-demographic characteristics which may contributes to greater difficulties in controlling rabies. To strengthen the rabies control programme,effective education of both the public and healthprofessionalswith thorough and adequate knowledge onproper dog bite management should be included in the awareness programme.