Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Practices on Rabies Disease in the GA East Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Rabies is one of the neglected tropical zoonotic diseases caused by a virus. It belongs to the Rhabdoviridae [1]. It is a disease that is commonly found in animals but can easily effect human [2]. Where there are animal reservoirs, rabies is commonly spread. The general objective of this study to evaluate differences in knowledge, attitude and perception about rabies, among the residence in Ga East.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was used in this study using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by interviewing study participants using OKD Collection and also STATA version14.2 was used for data analysis
 Results: A total of 475 respondents were involved in the study with 354 (74.53%) males and 121(25.47%) as females. Of this, majority of the participants (93.47%) own a dog against 6.53% who did not own a dog. Dog is own in the community basically for security purposes (77.25%). Few own dog for leisure. The study document less than 50% of the respondents [186 (39.16%)] resort to local drug stores drug store for first aid following a dog bit. Seeking veterinary attention (12.84%) and properly clearing of wound (8.84%) was not a common practice. Participants were of the opinion that tetanus vaccination should be done first (29.05%). Most of the participants have heard about rabies (96.42%) and showed various degree of knowledge on source of rabies, common animals associated with rabies, symptoms of rabies. Among some other practices, any identified rabid dog is killed as indicated by majority of the participants (52.63%). Most participants (71.58%) knew that rabies vaccination serves as preventive measures against rabies and further perceived all dogs must be vaccinated (38.32%). Of the total respondents, most (63.74%) never sent their dog for routine medical check-up nor vaccinated their dogs (70.95%).
 Conclusion: The study revered that dog owners do not provide adequate care for their dogs. In addition to low coverage of dog vaccination and human anti rabies vaccination in the community which poses a greater threat to the lives community, the potential for increased spread of the diseases is high due to inadequate level of knowledge, poor perceptions, and attitudes towards rabies.

Spatio‐temporal investigation of reported cases of animal rabies in Ghana from 2010 to 2017

“…Several studies have reported on rabies in Ghana. These include epidemiology and control measures (Addy, 1985; Alonge & Abu, 1984; Belcher et al., 1976; Lopes et al., 2018); surveillance systems (Afakye et al., 2016; Guri et al., 2020); human rabies outbreaks (Amoako et al., 2021; Apanga et al., 2016; Dsane‐Aidoo et al., 2022; Laryea et al., 2017; Punguyire et al., 2017); dog bites and rabies (Abuh et al., 2017; Addai & Nuertey, 2018; Adomako et al., 2018; Dsane‐Aidoo et al., 2022; Eliezer, 2016; Kenu et al., 2018; Korash & Ameme, 2017; Punguyire et al., 2017, 2020); dog population structure (Tasiame et al., 2019); dog‐associated pig rabies (Tasiame et al., 2016); rabies virus in dogs slaughtered for meat consumption (Tasiame et al., 2021); knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, practices and beliefs (Awuni et al., 2019; Tettey, 1998; Turkson & Wi‐Afedzi, 2020; Vetsi et al., 2021) and lineage of rabies virus in Ghana (Hayman et al., 2011). However, no studies have reported on the space–time pattern of the disease countrywide on a national level.…”