Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Rabies in and Around Lafia Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Rabies is endemic in Nigeria and other developing countries, killing 55,000 people annually. This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices of rabies in and around Lafia, Central Nigeria. Semistructured questionnaires were administered to 200 consenting respondents from urban and sub-urban areas in Lafia. Of the 200 respondents, 76.5% heard of rabies with 89% and 64% from urban and sub-urban areas. There was no significant difference on the awareness of rabies among respondents from urban and sub-urban areas (P>0.05). Although there was misperception about the cause of rabies, 41% of the respondents indicated that it can be transmitted through dog bite and contact with open wound, as 36.5% were aware that human and other domestic animals can be affected by rabies. Sudden change in behavior was the obvious clinical manifestation after dog bite as asserted by 42.5% of the respondents. Majority (54.0%) of the respondents will seek post-exposure prophylaxis after dog bite, 18.5% will seek traditional treatment, 16.5% both the later and the former while 11.0% will not take any measure. However, 77.5% of the respondents indicated that legs were the commonest place of dog bite, 69.5% mentioned children as the most risky population. Only 14.0% and 18.5% of the respondents vaccinated their dog and were also vaccinated against rabies while 25.5% and 22.5% recorded the availability of both vaccines. After dog bite, 53.5% and 37.5% of the respondents will prefer to tie and kill the dogs, as 9.0% will take no action. Therefore, the need for rabies awareness programmes within the study area is vital. Rabies vaccines, immunoglobulin and facilities that administer them must become affordable and readily available locally for both dogs and humans.