Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Rabies: A Cross-sectional Study at National Hospital Galle.

Abstract

Rabies is a neglected tropical disease of poor and at-risk groups of the country who receive less community attention. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the service beneficiaries of the rabies diagnostic unit at the National Hospital Galle during the period from January 2020 to December 2023 to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies. A total of 113 participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 96.5% were Sinhalese and the rest were Muslims. Mean age was 44.2 (± 12.8) years, and 66% of the study subjects were males. Of the participants, 38% were professionals, 40% were skilled personnel and 22% were unemployed. Friends/ neighbours (96.5%), media (78%) and schools (89%) were the main sources of information on rabies for the participants. Only 40% were aware that rabies is an infectious disease and 61% knew that it is a preventable disease. All of them knew that dogs and cats transmit the disease via bites, scratches and aerosols. However, 69% believed the possibility of transmitting the disease by rats. Almost all the participants believed vaccination of dogs/cats as a preventive measure to control rabies and 70% knew that vaccination needs to be done annually. Majority of the participants believed that seeking medical advice, having first aid, checking animal vaccination history, observing animal behaviour, having complete course of post-exposure vaccination are important as post exposure prophylaxis measures. Among the study subjects, 83% had experienced dog bites and more than 80% of them sought medical advice following appropriate first aid and brought animal heads for rabies diagnosis together with vaccination records. The results revealed satisfactory level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on rabies among the service beneficiaries of the rabies unit. However, an extended survey among general public is warranted for further controlling of the disease.