Dog bite and injury prevention—analysis, critical review, and research agenda

Abstract

Objectives-To analyze Australian dog bite injury data and make international comparisons; to review risk and protective factors relating to the dog, injured person, and environment; and to recommend action for prevention and research. Methods-Australian dog bite injury data, complemented by detailed Victorian and regional data from routine health records and vital statistics, were analyzed to determine incidence, severity, nature, circumstances, and trends. International comparison data were extracted from published reports. Risk and protective factor studies were selected for review from electronic and bibliographic searches where data were recent, sample sizes substantial, and bias limited. Results-The Australian dog bite death rate (0.004/100 000) is lower than both the United States (0.05-0.07/100 000) and Canadian rates (0.007/100 000). Victorian hospitalized trend rates were stable between 1987 and 1998, but there was a decline for children <5 years (p=0.019) corresponding with a reduction in dog ownership. Children 0-4 years have the highest rate of serious injury, particularly facial. Adults have longer hospitalizations, most frequently for upper extremity injury. Risk factors include: child, males, households with dogs, certain breeds, male dogs, home location, and leashed dog. Conclusions-Dog bite rates are high and it may therefore be assumed that current preventative interventions are inadequate. Responsible dog ownership, including separating young children from dogs, avoiding high risk dogs, neutering, regulatory enforcement, and standardized monitoring of bite rates are required. Controlled investigations of further risk and protective factors, and validated methods of breed identification, are needed. (Injury Prevention 2001;7:321-326)

A study on prescription analysis of referral dog bite cases to anti rabies clinic of M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur, India

“…1,2 In the United States, 4.7 million people were estimated to have been bitten by dogs in 1994 (an incidence rate of 16.1/1000 in adults and 24.5/1000 in children), of whom 800,000 required medical treatment. 3 The annual estimated number of dog bites in India is 17.4 million, leading to estimated 18,000-20,000 cases of human rabies per year.…”

In depth analysis of patients attending in a tertiary care hospital due to animal injuries: A major public health problem

“…Increased dog bite incidents in children is considered a behavioral risk because of their extreme curiosity, lack of inhibition, limited knowledge and experience about dog behavior, and inability to protect themselves from an attack. 4 It has also been suggested that bitesin children are more likely to be reported than in adults because of more parental concern towards children or the severity of theirinjuries. However, it is also believed that children in developing countries do not report minor bites or scratches to their parents, which increases the risk of rabies infection.…”

“…washing with soap and water) and rabies can also be integrated into the elementary school curriculum to educate children on the public health hazard of dog bites. 4 Australia, Chapman et al demonstrated that children who had been educated and provided information on ways to approach dogs displayed appreciably greater precautionary behaviors than children that did not receive any awareness education on dog behaviors and intervention. 5 Therefore, dog bite preventive education is important in children.…”

Acidentes por mordeduras de cães e gatos no município de Pinhais, Brasil de 2002 a 2005

“…A associação de indivíduos desta faixa etária ao sexo masculino pode ser explicada pela maior atividade, maior oportunidade de encontro com os animais no espaço social que ocupam, e ainda brincadeiras e atitudes bruscas que possam despertar a reação agressiva do animal (GARCIA et al, 1999). Nossos resultados condizem com outros estudos, onde as crianças, juntamente com sexo masculino e local da residência das vítimas, são considerados fatores de risco para acidentes por mordedura de cães (OZANNE-SMITH et al, 2001, LIPPOLIS et al, 2004.…”