Many developing countries have recently faced public health challenges due to outbreaks of human rabies, while some areas have remained free from outbreaks of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify keys to good knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in rabies-free areas of Thailand to provide a functional model for rabies prevention in endemic zones. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire in conjunction with interviews that were designed to elicit relevant information. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and content analysis were used to interpret the data obtained from the questionnaire and interviews, respectively. The results gathered from 1,392 respondents and 36 interviewees indicated that age, education and the residential area of the subjects were associated with knowledge and practice, but not with attitude. Late midlife subjects reported good knowledge and practice scores due to some form of personal encounter with rabies and attendance at rabies meetings and campaigns, while secondary education levels or above were associated with higher knowledge and practice scores due to the inclusion of a rabies course in the secondary school curriculum. Moreover, the findings showed that a community using a form of public communication known as wired broadcasting had greater knowledge, and a community organizing comprehensive participatory activities had better practice. Ultimately, it was not only age, education and residential area, but also the integration of appropriate interventions and control measures by the authorities that proved beneficial in making good knowledge and practice more uniform throughout the communities included in the study.

Rabies is a challenging human and animal health concern that requires a multisectoral and interdisciplinary strategy for prevention and control. The aim of this study was to investigate One Health perspectives on long-term rabies prevention in disease-free subdistricts of Chiang Mai, Thailand. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was carried out in three rabies-free communities with diverse demographics, and the results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were gathered from 36 interviews with equal proportions of urban, suburban, and rural populations. Although none of the participants mentioned the term “One Health”, the majority of them comprehended that rather than a one-dimensional approach, a multi-dimensional approach to rabies prevention would be effective. The main theme from the interview analysis was multisectoral collaboration. The role of the local government in collaboration, the involvement of the medical and veterinary branches, and intersectoral action with community engagement were all sub-themes. Community leaders and village health volunteers collaborated with local authorities to connect community members. The use of wired broadcasting as a method of public communication was critical to increasing rabies knowledge and awareness. Human and animal health agencies provided support for rabies vaccine and medical equipment, as well as staff skills and practice training. Community participation in rabies activities contributed to preventing, detecting, and responding to the disease. The One Health concept must be developed and implemented in practice at all levels of all key sectors, particularly among the general population in rabies-endemic areas throughout the country.