ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES REGARDING PREVENTION OF DOG BITE AMONG THE URBAN POPULATION OF JODHPUR CITY

Gehlot Bhavya, Sundesha Chirag and Gehlot Anusuya*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Rabies remains an important public health problem worldwide due to endemic dog rabies in developing countries. Rabies occurs in more than 150 countries and territories. Although a number of carnivorous and bat species serve as natural reservoir, rabies in dogs is the source of 99 per cent of human infection. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding prevention of dog bite among the urban population of Jodhpur city, Rajasthan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among urban population of Jodhpur city of Rajasthan. Data was collected by using pre-designed questionnaire from 330 participants. Data was compiled as a MS-Excel spreadsheet and data analysis was done with the help of Microsoft Excel (version 2010). Descriptive statistics and chi square test were applied. KAP score were calculated and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: About 70% of participants had heard about rabies. Among them only 57.57% knew it is a fatal disease, 35.15% of participants said that washing the wound with soap and water is necessary after dog bite. 76.06% of respondents said that it is important to observe the dog after dog bite. KAP score was significantly associated with age, sex, education. Conclusion: Most of the participants had good knowledge regarding major reservoir of rabies as dog. Lack of understanding of wound management after dog bite was seen among the participants in this study. KAP score was significantly associated with age, sex and education.

Keywords: Rabies, KAP score, dog bite Rabies remains an important public health problem worldwide due to endemic dog rabies in developing countries.[1]