Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards rabies: A survey of the general population residing in the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background Rabies remains endemic to the Harare Metropolitan Province of Zimbabwe, with a lack of public participations potentially contributing to the limited success in eliminating the disease. We hypothesized that rabies intervention campaigns were less successful than they could be as a result of poor understanding of the disease at the community level, and thus aimed to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards rabies in the province. Methods A cross-sectional survey, using a semi-structured questionnaire, was implemented between January 2017 and June 2018 across the province and data were collected from 798 respondents. Frequency distributions and logistic regressions were undertaken to determine the factors associated with the adequacy of the prevailing rabies knowledge, pet ownership characteristics and the existing preventative practices. Results The results of our study suggested that the majority of the respondents (92%) had heard of rabies. However, the level of rabies knowledge could be classified as “adequate” in only 36% of respondents. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that pet ownership and type of occupation were statistically associated with a better understanding and knowledge of the disease. Off all the respondents, 49% owned at least one dog or cat and suburb density and occupation were statistically associated with owning a pet. Amongst the pet owners, 57% consulted an animal health practitioner at least once a year and 75% were aware of a rabies vaccine for their pets. The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, education and gender were statistically associated with pet owners taking their pet(s) to an animal clinic. Conclusion This study showed that the majority of the respondents lacked comprehensive knowledge about rabies, with the knowledge pertaining to health seeking behaviour and the importance of rabies vaccination being the most lacking. Additional public education relying on key messages, aimed at the different target audiences, is required in the province.

Dog bite injuries in children seen at a tertiary care hospital in Bolivia

“…A study conducted in Zimbabwe showed that 49% of the inhabitants had at least a dog or a cat; the estimated human population of 2.8 million people had approximately 175 000 dogs living with them, a situation that is similar to our population, since most accidents take place in the home. 13 In Nepal, a similar problem has been described in relation to stray dogs. 14 Brazil has reported a high incidence of animal attacks in urban areas in relation to social vulnerability, disorderly urbanization, and the large number of pets.…”

Lesiones ocasionadas por mordeduras de perros en niños atendidos en un hospital de tercer nivel de Bolivia

“…Un estudio en Zimbabue demostró que el 49 % de los habitantes tenía al menos un perro o un gato; la población humana estimada de 2,8 millones de personas tenía aproximadamente 175 000 perros residiendo con ellos, situación que podría compararse con nuestra población, ya que la mayoría de los accidentes son domiciliarios. 13 En Nepal, se describe una problemática similar, con relación a perros callejeros. 14 Brasil reporta alta incidencia de accidentes por animales en áreas urbanas, debido a la vulnerabilidad social, urbanización desordenada y la gran cantidad de animales domésticos.…”

The Use of Dog Collars Offers Significant Benefits to Rabies Vaccination Campaigns: The Case of Zanzibar, Tanzania

“…As a first step, a univariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the captured socio-demographic characteristics. Thereafter, a forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken as described elsewhere [ 25 , 26 ]. To assess confounding effects, predictor variables that were not selected for the final logistic regression model were added and their impact on the coefficient of the predictor variables determined as described elsewhere [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Thereafter, a forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken as described elsewhere [ 25 , 26 ]. To assess confounding effects, predictor variables that were not selected for the final logistic regression model were added and their impact on the coefficient of the predictor variables determined as described elsewhere [ 25 , 26 ]. No such confounders were detected in this study and the adjusted OR (aOR) and their corresponding 95% CIs were derived.…”