Rabies prevention and control practices and associated factors among dog owners in Chiro, West Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Rabies is among the most deadly and fatal diseases of all human diseases, once clinical symptoms appear. In developing countries, including Ethiopia, rabies prevention and control practices is not adequate. The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices toward rabies prevention and control and identified factors associated with prevention and control practices. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 30 to August 30, 2021. A total of 326 dog-owner households were selected from the total number of 6500 dog-owner households using a simple random sampling method. Pretested and structured questionnaire were used to collect the data. The sections of the questionnaire includes socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice toward rabies prevention practices, and health and personal-related characteristics of the participants. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine the association variables. Finally, a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as a cut-off point for statistical significance. Results: Of 326 households involved in the study, 52.8% of the participants were found to have poor rabies prevention and control practices. More than half (52.1%) of the respondents had good knowledge of rabies prevention and control practices, and 49.1% had a positive attitude. Only 28.2% of the respondents reported a history of dog bites. Factors associated with good rabies prevention and control practices were; having good knowledge of human rabies virus [(Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 2.41 (95% CI: 2.25−4.83)], having good attitude on prevention and control [AOR = 2.06 (95% CI: 1.95–3.82)], having only one dog per household [AOR = 2.46 (95% CI: 1.25–4.83)], availability of vet clinic within 30 min distance from residents [AOR = 9.32 (95% CI: 4.19–20.70)], and getting health information from Mass media [AOR = 3.68(95% CI: 1.74–7.77)] or Health workers [AOR = 3.16 (95% CI: 1.60–6.23)]. Conclusions: More than half (52.1%) of the participants had poor rabies prevention and control practices. Improving rabies prevention and control practices through improving the knowledge and attitude of the community is important to protect public health.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of respondents’ towards Rabies and associated risk factors in Shone Town, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…of dog owners vaccinated their dogs in Chiro town, West Hararghe, Oromia region, Ethiopia [31]. The result of the recent study was greater than the study conducted in Jima [27].…”

“…In contrast, a high percent of study participants who vaccinate their dogs was reported from different studies conducted: 79% in Mekelle City, Ethiopia [29], and 71.1% in Adigrat Town, Tigray Regional State [30]. 85.3% of dog owners vaccinated their dogs in Chiro town, West Hararghe, Oromia region, Ethiopia [31]. The result of the recent study was greater than the study conducted in Jima [27].…”

Knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices related to dog-mediated rabies in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational epidemiological studies from inception to 2023

“…Except for a study by Kabeta et al ( 49 ) that was carried out among dog bite victims attending Jimma Town anti-rabies Health Center located in the Oromia region, the remaining 26 studies were conducted in the community ( 20 , 28–31 , 33–48 , 50–54 ). Twelve of the studies were published in the previous five years (2018–2023 Gregorian Calendar) ( 28 , 30 , 31 , 34–36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 47 , 48 , 52 ). Eleven of the studies were conducted in the Amhara region ( 20 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 39 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 51 , 52 ), 9 in the Oromia region ( 29 , 30 , 33 , 38 , 42 , 46 , 49 , 50 ); 3 in Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia’s ( 37 , 43 , 53 ); 2 in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) ( 34 , 54 ), 1 each in Tigray ( 40 ), and Somalia ( 36 ) regions.…”

“…Twelve of the studies were published in the previous five years (2018–2023 Gregorian Calendar) ( 28 , 30 , 31 , 34–36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 47 , 48 , 52 ). Eleven of the studies were conducted in the Amhara region ( 20 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 39 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 51 , 52 ), 9 in the Oromia region ( 29 , 30 , 33 , 38 , 42 , 46 , 49 , 50 ); 3 in Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia’s ( 37 , 43 , 53 ); 2 in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) ( 34 , 54 ), 1 each in Tigray ( 40 ), and Somalia ( 36 ) regions. The individual study estimates range from 7.50% ( 39 ) to 99.25% ( 51 ) for a good level of knowledge about rabies, 12.55% ( 53 ) to 95.57% ( 49 ) for a favorable level of attitudes, and 4.69% ( 52 ) to 85.68% ( 28 ) for a good level of practices towards rabies prevention ( Table 1 ).…”

“…According to a research report by Abdela et al, being male, living in a peri-urban area, attending formal school, having experienced dog bites, owning a dog, and being trained about rabies were associated with higher KAP scores ( 29 ). Furthermore, a good level of rabies prevention practices was influenced by a good level of knowledge and attitude toward rabies, having a dog, and getting information from social media, health workers, or training ( 30 , 31 ) ( Table 4 ).…”