Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding rabies and its prevention among construction workers: a cross-sectional study in Berhampur, Odisha

Abstract

Background: Rabies is a viral zoonosis and human infection usually occurs following transdermal bite or scratch by an infected animal. It is one of the most dangerous and completely preventable diseases. Construction workers are vulnerable to animal bites. So, this study was undertaken to study the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding animal bite and rabies among construction workers.Methods: A cross sectional study was done in campus of MKCG medical college, Berhampur, Odisha, India. Data was collected by using pre-designed interview from 400 construction workers. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS V.17. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were applied. KAP score were calculated. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Mean age group of study participants was 37.75±15.8, 72.5% were male and 27.5% were female. 84% of the participants had heard the word rabies. 65.75% among them had poor KAP score. KAP score was significantly associated with age, sex, education and residence.Conclusions: Construction workers had poor knowledge about animal bite and rabies. Their knowledge, attitude and practice with respect to prevention and treatment of rabies can be improved by providing proper health education.

Knowledge about rabies among urban adult residents, Agartala, West Tripura: a cross sectional study

“…6 Tripathy et al reported that 98.2% participants knew that dog was the source of infection. 11 The observation was found inconsistent with our study findings (39.5%). Regarding transmission of rabies, 60.5% respondents knew correctly as compared to study done in Puducherry, where 98.9% respondents answered that rabies can be transmitted by animal bites.…”

“…6 In our study, only literacy was found associated with level of knowledge on rabies but Tripathy et al study reported that KAP score was significantly associated with age, sex, education and residence whereas Chopra et al study reported that sex, religion and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge level. 11,12…”

A cross sectional study to assess the knowledge and response to dog bite among the urban and rural population of Hubballi taluk

“…14 In the present study 66.66% of the study population think that vaccination of dog is necessary, where as in a study by Tripathy et al 70.2% participants and in a study by Chandan et al 81% participants think that it is necessary to vaccinate dogs. 11,12 In the present study 16.66% apply lime/turmeric to the wound which is similar to the studies by Valekar et al (19.3%) and Chandan et al in Dharwad (20%), which means still there are many traditional practices going on everywhere in the community. 11,14 In the present study 95% of the population prefer to consult a doctor if bitten by dog, where as it is very less in a study by Kamble et al (27.6%), 77% prefers to consult a doctor in a study by Chandan et al 11,13 In the present study, only 10.8% of the participants said that they get information from health workers which is lower compared to a study by Chandan et al (34%).…”

“…In the present study 90% of the people opine that dog bite is dangerous, almost similar (85%) in a study conducted by Chandan et al in Dharwad, where as in a study by Tripathy et al, it is 62.5%. 11,12 In the present study only 30% of the study participants were aware of the need of washing of the wound after bite, in a study by Panesar et al in Delhi 22.1% were aware, in contrast to the study by Valekar et al in Maharashtra, 48.6% and Chandan et al in Dharwad, 73% were aware of the same. 11,13,14 In the present study 71.6% of the participants were aware about the vaccine for dog bite, and is almost similar to study by Chandan et al (67%) in Dharwad where as it was very much high(95.8%) in a study by Valekar in Maharashtra.…”

A preliminary survey of knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding rabies in West Bengal, India

“…A large number of clinical studies have been conducted worldwide to highlight this key aspect. 4,5,6,7,8 Global statistics have shown that 90% of human deaths due to rabies occur in children. Deaths in children occur because they like playing with dogs and lack awareness about transmission of rabies by dogs.…”