Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to dog bite and its management among adults in rural Maharashtra with reference to their literacy status: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: In India, 97% of human rabies is transmitted by dogs. Rabies is 100% fatal but 100% preventable by vaccination. In rural community, there exists a considerable gap in knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to dog bite and its management. So, study was planned to assess same with reference to literacy status among adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural field practice area of Rajiv Gandhi medical college in Maharashtra during April to June 2023. Sample size was estimated. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the subjects. Data was collected by personal interview using pretested questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. The statistical level of significance was fixed at p<0.05. Results: Of the 254 subjects interviewed, 208 (81.89%) were literate and 46 (18.11%) were illiterate, 224 (88.19%) subjects knew about rabies disease of which 190 (91.35%) were literate (p<0.05), 208 (81.89%) subjects mentioned that the dog bite leads to rabies of which 178 (85.58%) were literate (p<0.05), 172 (67.72%) said rabies can be prevented through vaccination of which 151 (72.60%) were literate (p<0.05), 179 (70.47%) said washing dog bite wound can reduce chance of rabies of which 158 (75.96%) were literate (p<0.05), 88 (34.65%) subjects have given history of dog bite. Literate subjects were having better knowledge, positive attitudes and healthy practices related to dog bite and its management. Conclusions: The gap in knowledge, attitude and practices about dog bite and its management among the subjects can be reduced by increasing literacy status, health education and focusing on communication services in rural area.