Rabies: Knowledge, Attitude & Practices (KAP)

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A compilation of global data assessing public knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding rabies prevention and control.

Jump to: Africa | Asia

Highlights

Africa

Jump to: Ethiopia | Kenya | Madagascar | Namibia

Ethiopia

Jump to: Ethiopia vs Kenya

Rabies KAP in Mekelle & Assela, Ethiopia, as well as Kisumu & Siaya, Kenya

External Link:
Menghistu, Habtamu Taddele & Thaiyah, Andrew & Bajitie, M. & Bundi, J. & Gugssa, G. & Hailu, Abrha Bsrat & Kirui, Gilbert & Kitaa, Jafred & Tsegaye, Y.. (2018). Free roaming dogs and the communities’ knowledge, attitude and practices of rabies incidence/human exposures: Cases of selected settings in Ethiopia and Kenya. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development. 32. 11-20.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324506828_Free_roaming_dogs_and_the_communities%27_knowledge_attitude_and_practices_of_rabies_incidencehuman_exposures_Cases_of_selected_settings_in_Ethiopia_and_Kenya

Free-Roaming Dog Population
  • In Ethiopia, 1,606 free-roaming dogs were counted in Mekelle and 1,385 in Asella.
  • In Kenya, 196 dogs were counted in Kisumu, and 190 in Siaya.
Rabies Incidents and Animal Bites
  • From 2009 to 2013 in Ethiopia, 1,524 individuals in Mekelle and 429 in Asella received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after being bitten by rabies-suspected animals.
  • In Kenya, between 2010 and 2014, Kisumu reported 14,058 animal bite cases, and Siaya reported 17,288 cases.
Rabies Knowledge, Attitude and Practices
EthiopiaKenya
AsselaMekelleKisumuSiaya
Heard about rabies90.4%94.8%91.3%97.0%
Source of information
  Media5.3%13.8%12.0%8.6%
  School / friend / neighbour63.6%51.9%77.8%60.7%
  Vet services1.5%22.2%1.2%10.4%
  Media plus other sources26.5%10.1%5.4%14.1%
Know about zoonotic nature of rabies73.5%89.5%93.9%96.3%
Knowledge on routes of transmission81.1%79.5%89.0%94.9%
Animals affected by rabies
  Dog98.4%95.4%100.0%96.9%
  Cat0.8%0.8%39.6%25.8%
  Other animals0.8%3.8%13.2%19.0%
Know about role of FRDs in rabies transmission78.8%67.9%89.2%74.2%
First line action for a person / animal bitten by rabies suspected case
  Wound wash by water13.7% 9.5%5.1%5.5%
  Wound wash by water and soap39.7%22.6%8.6%26.4%
  Apply alcohol27.4%12.3%16.6%27.0%
  Apply irritants like lemon0.7%3.2%0.6%6.8%
  Traditional treatment13.0%38.5%16.6%1.8%
  No idea5.5%13.9%52.5%32.5%
Possible strategies for the prevention and control of rabies 
  Vaccination of owned dogs28.8%43.1%78.5%66.9%
  Eradication of stray dogs6.1%33.9%4.6%5.5%
  Animal birth control1.5%1.3%0%0%
  Awareness creation4.6%0%0%0%
  Vaccination of dogs plus others12.1%16.7%0%0%
  No idea47.0%5.0%16.9%27.6%
Vaccination of dogs / cats40.8%60.6%20.3%19.1%
Options for management of FRDs
  Eradication of free roaming dogs58.2%83.7%71.0%78.0%
  Animal birth control10.3%7.9%13.9%9.5%
  No idea31.5%8.3%15.1%12.5%

Related data from the same study

Research Summary | Back to top

Kenya

Jump to: Ethiopia vs Kenya

Rabies KAP in Mekelle & Assela, Ethiopia, as well as Kisumu & Siaya, Kenya

External Link:
Menghistu, Habtamu Taddele & Thaiyah, Andrew & Bajitie, M. & Bundi, J. & Gugssa, G. & Hailu, Abrha Bsrat & Kirui, Gilbert & Kitaa, Jafred & Tsegaye, Y.. (2018). Free roaming dogs and the communities’ knowledge, attitude and practices of rabies incidence/human exposures: Cases of selected settings in Ethiopia and Kenya. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development. 32. 11-20.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324506828_Free_roaming_dogs_and_the_communities%27_knowledge_attitude_and_practices_of_rabies_incidencehuman_exposures_Cases_of_selected_settings_in_Ethiopia_and_Kenya

Free-Roaming Dog Population
  • In Ethiopia, 1,606 free-roaming dogs were counted in Mekelle and 1,385 in Asella.
  • In Kenya, 196 dogs were counted in Kisumu, and 190 in Siaya.
Rabies Incidents and Animal Bites
  • From 2009 to 2013 in Ethiopia, 1,524 individuals in Mekelle and 429 in Asella received post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after being bitten by rabies-suspected animals.
  • In Kenya, between 2010 and 2014, Kisumu reported 14,058 animal bite cases, and Siaya reported 17,288 cases.
Rabies Knowledge, Attitude and Practices
EthiopiaKenya
AsselaMekelleKisumuSiaya
Heard about rabies90.4%94.8%91.3%97.0%
Source of information
  Media5.3%13.8%12.0%8.6%
  School / friend / neighbour63.6%51.9%77.8%60.7%
  Vet services1.5%22.2%1.2%10.4%
  Media plus other sources26.5%10.1%5.4%14.1%
Know about zoonotic nature of rabies73.5%89.5%93.9%96.3%
Knowledge on routes of transmission81.1%79.5%89.0%94.9%
Animals affected by rabies
  Dog98.4%95.4%100.0%96.9%
  Cat0.8%0.8%39.6%25.8%
  Other animals0.8%3.8%13.2%19.0%
Know about role of FRDs in rabies transmission78.8%67.9%89.2%74.2%
First line action for a person / animal bitten by rabies suspected case
  Wound wash by water13.7% 9.5%5.1%5.5%
  Wound wash by water and soap39.7%22.6%8.6%26.4%
  Apply alcohol27.4%12.3%16.6%27.0%
  Apply irritants like lemon0.7%3.2%0.6%6.8%
  Traditional treatment13.0%38.5%16.6%1.8%
  No idea5.5%13.9%52.5%32.5%
Possible strategies for the prevention and control of rabies 
  Vaccination of owned dogs28.8%43.1%78.5%66.9%
  Eradication of stray dogs6.1%33.9%4.6%5.5%
  Animal birth control1.5%1.3%0%0%
  Awareness creation4.6%0%0%0%
  Vaccination of dogs plus others12.1%16.7%0%0%
  No idea47.0%5.0%16.9%27.6%
Vaccination of dogs / cats40.8%60.6%20.3%19.1%
Options for management of FRDs
  Eradication of free roaming dogs58.2%83.7%71.0%78.0%
  Animal birth control10.3%7.9%13.9%9.5%
  No idea31.5%8.3%15.1%12.5%

Related data from the same study

Research Summary | Back to top

Madagascar

Jump to: Moramanga district, Madagascar

Rabies KAP in Moramanga district, Madagascar

External link: 
Leblanc C, Kassié D, Ranaivoharimina M, Rakotomanana EFN, Mangahasimbola RT, Randrianarijaona A, et al. (2024) Mixed methods to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards rabies in central and remote communities of Moramanga district, Madagascar. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 18(3): e0012064. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012064

Background
  • Rabies Incidence in Madagascar:
    • Annually, 3 to 10 human rabies cases and about 50 to 60 animal rabies cases are confirmed by the National Reference Laboratory (LNR).
    • A recent study estimates an annual incidence of 960 human deaths due to rabies, with current post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) levels preventing an additional 800 deaths per year.
  • Dog Vaccination Coverage:
    • In Antananarivo (2007–2008), 21.6% of dogs were reportedly vaccinated against rabies, but only 7.2% had valid vaccination certificates.
    • In Moramanga city commune (2012), 37.0% of dog-owning households claimed to vaccinate their dogs, but only 11.7% had valid certificates.
    • In rural areas, without mass dog vaccination campaigns, the vaccination rate is estimated to be below 5%.
  • Rabies Control Efforts:
    • Non-governmental organizations, such as Mad Dog Initiative, have occasionally conducted mass dog vaccination campaigns in a few localities.
    • Madagascar law requires that a dog that has bitten a human be observed by a veterinarian three times over 15 days, though this law is rarely enforced.
Availability of PEP
  • History and Distribution of PEP in Madagascar:
    • PEP was first introduced in 1898 by the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar (IPM) in Antananarivo, which still operates and treats 6,000 patients per year.
    • To improve access, the Ministry of Public Health has established 30 additional anti-rabies treatment centers (ARTCs) across all 22 regions, making Madagascar one of the few sub-Saharan African countries where rabies PEP is free and theoretically accessible at the regional level.
Dog Ownership Practices
  • Dog Ownership and Free-Roaming Behavior:
    • Most owned dogs roam freely for part or all of the day.
    • The primary reason for dog ownership is protection (cited by over 80% of owners), with companionship being a secondary reason (18.5–26.5%).
    • More than 50% of both dog owners and non-owners have a negative perception of free-roaming dogs.
  • Community Attitudes Toward Dog Population Control:
    • The vast majority of people support spay/neuter/vaccine programs and would use them if they were freely available.
  • Surveyed Dog Population: 
    • At the time of the study, 15.6% of households owned dogs, with an average of 1.6 dogs per household.
    • The dog-to-human ratio, considering only owned dogs, was 0.057 (i.e., one dog per 17.6 humans).
  • Vaccination Disparities:
    • Vaccinated dog rates were 26 times higher in central areas compared to remote areas (62.5% vs. 2.4%). This disparity had widened from five years earlier when it was 13 times greater (44.4% vs. 3.5%).
Central AreaRemote AreaOverall C+R
Vaccination status of dogs in dog owning households (HH) 
  at least one vaccinated dog68%3%31%
  no vaccinated dog(s)*32%90%65%
  do not know if dog(s) is/are vaccinated0%7%4%
*Among 34 households with no vaccinated dog(s)72734
Reasons for not vaccinating dog(s)
  vaccine cost29%11%15%
  vaccine is useless14%4%6%
  vaccine not available at the veterinarian0%4%3%
  did not know dogs could be vaccinated14%15%15%
  other reasons specified:0%0%0%
    “The vaccination center is too far”0%41%32%
    “It is not in our habits to vaccinate dogs”0%11%9%
    “I did not think of vaccinating the dog”0%7%6%
    “The dog is vaccinated but I didn’t find the vaccination card”14%0%3%
    “The dog was about to be vaccinated but became pregnant”14%0%3%
    “The owner is not there, I just take care of the dog”0%4%3%
    “I thought vaccines were for rabid dogs (should be administered once the dog is rabid)”0%4%3%
    “I got the dog recently and did not have the time to vaccinate it yet”0%7%6%
    “Thieves must not know that the dog is vaccinated or they will know it can not transmit the disease”0%4%3%
    “I did not have the time”14%0%3%
    “In rural areas, if you vaccinate a dog it will become rabid”0%4%3%
Rabies Knowledge
  • Belief in Vaccination:
    • A majority of respondents (91.3%) believed that dog vaccination could prevent rabies transmission.
  • Awareness Campaigns:
    • Significantly more people in the central area had benefited in a rabies awareness campaign compared to the remote area (30.0% vs. 11.6%).
  • General Rabies Awareness:
    • Most respondents were aware of rabies, with 91.9% in both central and remote areas having prior knowledge.
    • However, only 14.7% were aware of the existence of the Anti-Rabies Treatment Center (ARTC).
Central, N = 170Remote, N = 164Overall, N = 334
Can animals transmit rabies?　　　
  No or Do not know (false)6 (3.5%)15 (9.1%)21 (6.3%)
  Yes (true)164 (96.5%)149 (90.9%)313 (93.7%)
If yes (n=313), which animals?　　　
  Ruminants
    No or Do not know (false)128 (78.0%)93 (62.4%)221 (70.6%)
    Yes (true)36 (22.0%)56 (37.6%)92 (29.4%)
  Dogs　　　
    No or Do not know (false)3 (1.8%)1 (0.7%)4 (1.3%)
    Yes (true)161 (98.2%)148 (99.3%)309 (98.7%)
  Cats　　　
    No or Do not know (false)35 (21.3%)41 (27.5%)76 (24.3%)
    Yes (true)129 (78.7%)108 (72.5%)237 (75.7%)
  Lemurs
    No or Do not know (false)121 (73.8%)135 (90.6%)256 (81.8%)
    Yes (true)43 (26.2%)14 (9.4%)57 (18.2%)
  Birds/wild birds
    No (true)87 (53.0%)65 (43.6%)152 (48.6%)
    Yes or Do not know (false)77 (47.0%)84 (56.4%)161 (51.4%)
  Rodents
    No (true)75 (45.7%)42 (28.2%)117 (37.4%)
    Yes or Do not know (false)89 (54.3%)107 (71.8%)196 (62.6%)
How is rabies transmitted? 　　　
  Touching sick animals
    No (true)134 (78.8%)128 (78.0%)262 (78.4%)
    Yes or Do not know (false)36 (21.2%)36 (22.0%)72 (21.6%)
  Bite
    No or Do not know (false)2 (1.2%)5 (3.0%)7 (2.1%)
    Yes (true)168 (98.8%)159 (97.0%)327 (97.9%)
  Scratch
    No or Do not know (false)27 (15.9%)40 (24.4%)67 (20.1%)
    Yes (true)143 (84.1%)124 (75.6%)267 (79.9%)
  Meat manipulation
    No or Do not know (false)126 (74.1%)135 (82.3%)261 (78.1%)
    Yes (true)44 (25.9%)29 (17.7%)73 (21.9%)
  Animal licking a wound　　　
    No or Do not know (false)38 (22.4%)59 (36.0%)97 (29.0%)
    Yes (true)132 (77.6%)105 (64.0%)237 (71.0%)
  Contact with urine or feces
    No (true)109 (64.1%)104 (63.4%)213 (63.8%)
    Yes or Do not know (false)61 (35.9%)60 (36.6%)121 (36.2%)
Can rabies be transmitted through a non-bleeding wound caused by a dog bite?
  No or Do not know (false)46 (27.1%)46 (28.0%)92 (27.5%)
  Yes (true)124 (72.9%)118 (72.0%)242 (72.5%)
Can rabies be transmitted by ingesting cooked meat of milk from a rabid animal?
  No (true)13 (7.6%)5 (3.0%)18 (5.4%)
  Yes or Do not know (false)157 (92.4%)159 (97.0%)316 (94.6%)
Is rabies fatal?　　　
  No or Do not know (false)7 (4.1%)8 (4.9%)15 (4.5%)
  Yes (true)163 (95.9%)156 (95.1%)319 (95.5%)
Is rabies curable?　　　
  No (true)8 (4.7%)2 (1.2%)10 (3.0%)
  Yes or Do not know (false)162 (95.3%)162 (98.8%)324 (97.0%)
What are the symptoms of animal rabies? 　　　
  Underweight
    No (true)124 (72.9%)109 (66.5%)233 (69.8%)
    Yes or Do not know (false)46 (27.1%)55 (33.5%)101 (30.2%)
  Aggressive
    No or Do not know (false)34 (20.0%)13 (7.9%)47 (14.1%)
    Yes (true)136 (80.0%)151 (92.1%)*287 (85.9%)
  Drool
    No or Do not know (false)18 (10.6%)22 (13.4%)40 (12.0%)
    Yes (true)152 (89.4%)142 (86.6%)294 (88.0%)
Is the human vaccine efficient?　　　
  No or Do not know (false)41 (24.1%)49 (29.9%)90 (26.9%)
  Yes (true)129 (75.9%)115 (70.1%)244 (73.1%)
Are traditional treatments effective against rabies? 　　
  No (true)127 (74.7%)119 (72.6%)246 (73.7%)
  Yes or Do not know (false)43 (25.3%)45 (27.4%)88 (26.3%)
Bite Management Practices
  • Personal Experience with Dog Bites:
    • 42.5% of respondents knew someone who had been bitten by a dog.
Central Remote Overall
Number of households (HH) in which a member was bitten by a dog in the last 5 years17825
Number of HH in which a visitor was bitten by a dog in the last 5 years606
Number of bite victims23831
Mean age (years) of bitten individuals (range)23.3 (3-50)18 (1-50)21.9 (1-50)
Place where the bite occurred:
  at home35%0%26%
  outside home65%100%74%
Type of bite:
  provoked26%25%26%
  not provoked74%75%74%
Location of bite:
  head0%13%3%
  torso4%0%3%
  hand or arm17%13%16%
  foot or leg78%75%77%
Bite victim went to a health center65%63%65%
Among those who did not go to a health center (n=11), the reason was:
  cost9%9%18%
  no transport / distance to health center0%9%9%
  impossible to leave work or occupation18%0%18%
  dog was vaccinated9%0%9%
  wound was small9%9%18%
  dog was brought to traditional healer9%0%9%
  thought dog was too young to be at risk9%0%9%
  someone in the household was a doctor9%0%9%
Among those who went to a health center (n=20), received PEP:
  yes55%25%80%
  no5%0%5%
  do not know15%0%15%
Among those who received PEP (n=16), number of PEP sessions:
  26%6%13%
  325%0%25%
  4 (complete intra-dermal protocol)31%25%56%
  56%0%6%
Among those who received PEP (n=12), received rabies immunoglobulines:
  yes0%8%8%
  no67%33%83%
  do not know25%0%8%
Among HH members bite victims (excluding visitors) who received PEP (n=12), interviewer saw health booklet:
  yes8%8%17%
  no50%33%83%
Complications following the bite
  yes9%25%13%
  no91%75%87%
How was the victim 3 months after the bite
  healthy96%100%97%
  sick0%0%0%
  deceased4%0%3%
Central. N = 170Remote. N = 164Overall. N = 334
What should a bitten person do?　　　
  Nothing
    No (true)164 (96.5%)160 (97.6%)324 (97.0%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)6 (3.5%)4 (2.4%)10 (3.0%)
  Wash the wound
    No or Do not know (false)81 (47.6%)101 (61.6%)182 (54.5%)
    Yes (true)89 (52.4%)63 (38.4%)152 (45.5%)
  Consult a traditional healer
    No (true)167 (98.2%)161 (98.2%)328 (98.2%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)3 (1.8%)3 (1.8%)6 (1.8%)
  Apply mud on the wound
    No (true)168 (98.8%)161 (98.2%)329 (98.5%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)2 (1.2%)3 (1.8%)5 (1.5%)
  Apply cooked rice on the wound
    No (true)167 (98.2%)158 (96.3%)325 (97.3%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)3 (1.8%)6 (3.7%)9 (2.7%)
  Call or consult a doctor
    No or Do not know (false)127 (74.7%)110 (67.1%)237 (71.0%)
    Yes (true)43 (25.3%)54 (32.9%)97 (29.0%)
  Call or consult a veterinarian
    No or Do not know (false)158 (92.9%)161 (98.2%)319 (95.5%)
    Yes (true)12 (7.1%)3 (1.8%)15 (4.5%)
  Seek a medical center
    No or Do not know (false)58 (34.1%)77 (47.0%)135 (40.4%)
    Yes (true)112 (65.9%)87 (53.0%)199 (59.6%)
  Seek PEP
    No or Do not know (false)150 (88.2%)162 (98.8%)312 (93.4%)
    Yes (true)20 (11.8%)2 (1.2%)22 (6.6%)
  Isolate the dog to place it under observation
    No or Do not know (false)160 (94.1%)155 (94.5%)315 (94.3%)
    Yes (true)10 (5.9%)9 (5.5%)19 (5.7%)
  Screen the dog for rabies
    No (true)149 (87.6%)157 (95.7%)306 (91.6%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)21 (12%)7 (4.3%)28 (8.4%)
  Kill the dog
    No (true)129 (75.9%)118 (72.0%)247 (74.0%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)41 (24.1%)46 (28.0%)87 (26.0%)
How can rabies be prevented?　　　
  Vaccination
    No or Do not know (false)11 (6.5%)18 (11.0%)29 (8.7%)
Yes (true)159 (93.5%)146 (89.0%)305 (91.3%)
Feeding the animal　　　
    No (true)128 (75.3%)125 (76.2%)253 (75.7%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)42 (24.7%)39 (23.8%)81 (24.3%)
What should you do if a dog you know has bitten someone?　　
  Call or consult a veterinarian
    No or Do not know (false)121 (71.2%)149 (90.9%)270 (80.8%)
    Yes (true)49 (28.8%)15 (9.1%)64 (19.2%)
  Call or consult a doctor
    No or Do not know (false)102 (60.0%)140 (85.4%)242 (72.5%)
    Yes (true)68 (40.0%)24 (14.6)92 (27.5%)
  Consult a traditional healer
    No (true)170 (100.0%)164 (100.0%)334 (100.0%)
  Isolate the dog
    No or Do not know (false)151 (88.8%)148 (90.2%)299 (89.5%)
    Yes (true)19 (11.2%)16 (9.8%)35 (10.5%)
  Kill the dog
    No (true)109 (64.1%)*61 (37.2%)170 (50.9%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)61 (35.9%)103 (62.8%)164 (49.1%)
  Nothing
    No (true)160 (94.1%)150 (91.5%)310 (92.8%)
    Yes or Do Not Know (false)10 (5.9%)14 (8.5%)24 (7.2%)

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Namibia

Jump to: Northern Communal Areas

Rabies KAP in Northern Communal Areas

External link: 
Citation: Tenzin T, Hikufe EH, Hedimbi N, Athingo R, Shikongo MB, Shuro T, et al. (2024) Dog ecology and rabies knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in the Northern Communal Areas of Namibia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 18(2): e0011631. 
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011631

Dog Demography
  • Dog Density: Estimated at 0.94 to 1.65 dogs/km² based on different household and population models
  • Household Dog Ownership: 66.5% of households in NCAs keep dogs.
  • Urban vs. Rural: 63.3% of rural households own dogs, compared to 55.3% of urban households.
  • Dog Age Structure: 77.8% are adults (>1 year), 22.2% are sub-adults/puppies (<1 year).
  • Gender Ratio: Male to female ratio is 1.54:1.
  • Purpose: 90.5% of respondents keep dogs for property protection, with 90.3% allowing dogs to roam freely.
  • Average Dogs per Dog-Owning Household: 2.21, with an overall dog-to-household ratio of 1.47 and a human-to-dog ratio of 5.45.
Dog Rabies Vaccination
  • Vaccination Rate: 49.6% of households reported vaccinating dogs in the 2020 mass dog vaccination (MDV) campaign, with an overall vaccination coverage of 38.6%.
  • Urban vs. Rural: Vaccination coverage was higher in urban areas (52.4%) than rural areas (36.1%).
  • Factors Affecting Vaccination: Livestock ownership, gender (male), and knowledge of rabies positively influenced vaccination rates.
  • Distance to Vaccination Sites: 69.1% of respondents reported living <1 km from a vaccination site, 24.3% lived 2-3 km away, and 6.3% lived 4 km or more.
  • Sources of Information: 60.1% of dog owners received vaccination info via radio, and 55.8% from veterinary personnel.
  • Lack of Awareness: 43.6% of households did not vaccinate their dogs due to unawareness of the campaign.
  • Dog Fatalities: 7.7% of respondents who reported dog deaths in 2020 suspected rabies as the cause.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) Survey
  • Rabies Awareness: 87.3% of respondents had heard of rabies.
  • Rabies Knowledge: 53.1% had moderate to poor knowledge, while 46.9% were well informed.
  • Influences on Knowledge: Good rabies knowledge was linked to being male, urban residency, and dog ownership. Poor knowledge correlated with limited education.
Dog Bite Incidence and Response
  • Dog Bite Rate: 10.8% of respondents reported dog bites in the last two years, translating to an annual bite rate of 674 per 100,000 residents.
  • Types of Bites: 40.4% were provoked bites, 53.6% were unprovoked, and 5.9% couldn’t recall the cause.
  • Gender Differences: Women reported more dog bites than men.
  • Biting Dog’s Vaccination Status: 21.8% of biting dogs were vaccinated, 36.2% were not, and the vaccination status of 41.9% was unknown.
  • Outcome for Biting Dogs: One-third of the biting dogs were killed, but only 4.3% were submitted for laboratory testing.
  • Health Seeking Behavior: 91.6% of bite victims sought medical care, but 12.2% didn’t complete follow-up treatment. 46 respondents didn’t seek care due to lack of knowledge about post-exposure vaccination or perceived low risk.

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Asia

Jump to: India | Sri Lanka

India

Jump to: Shirsuphal village, Western India

Rabies KAP in Shirsuphal village, Western India

External link: Tiwari HK, O’Dea M, Robertson ID, Vanak AT (2019) Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards rabies and free-roaming dogs (FRD) in Shirsuphal village in western India: A community based cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 13(1): e0007120.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007120

Respondent Demographics
  • Pet Ownership:
    • Own a pet: 65%
    • Own a dog: 53%
    • Own livestock: 73%
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Rabies
  • Rabies Awareness:
    • Heard of rabies: 97%
    • Knew rabies could be transmitted through animal bites: 98%
    • Knew rabies could also be transmitted through licks/scratches: 40.7%
    • Knew dogs were capable of transmitting rabies: 100%
    • Knew cats were capable of transmitting rabies: 22%
    • Knew rabies was fatal once acquired: 86%
    • Knew rabies could be prevented: 80%
  • Prevention Methods:
    • Knew rabies could be prevented by administering PEP to dog-bite victims or by vaccinating dogs against rabies: 58%
    • Aware of the ineffectiveness of traditional applications, such as chili/turmeric powder: 87%
    • Believed that washing bite wounds with soap and water was beneficial: 42%
    • Recommended a dog-bite victim attend a hospital: 97%
  • Rabies Control:
    • Believed that restricting the FRD population could help control rabies: 92%
    • Would report the presence of a rabid dog to the municipal authorities: 73%

Related data from the same study (Perception Towards FRD)

Related data from the same study (Dog Ownership Practices)

Research Summary | Back to top

Sri Lanka

Jump to: KAP in Kendy (2007)

KAP in Kendy (2007)

External link: 
Matibag, G.C., Kamigaki, T., Kumarasiri, P.V.R. et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey of rabies in a community in Sri Lanka. Environ Health Prev Med 12, 84–89 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898154

Knowledge of Rabies
  • Main reservoir of rabies in Sri Lanka are dogs:
    • Total: 89.6%, Urban: 92.7%, Rural: 89.1%
  • Knows about the fatal nature of rabies:
    • Total: 78.7%, Urban: 71.7%, Rural: 79.6%
  • Knows that rabies can be prevented by vaccination:
    • Total: 88.1%, Urban: 87.8%, Rural: 88.2%
  • Knows that dog rabies vaccine can be obtained from authorized government office:
    • Total: 90.6%, Urban: 90.9%, Rural: 90.5%
    • Pet owners: 92.9%; Non-pet owners: 87.3%
  • Source of information – multiple sources:
    • Total: 60.7%, Urban: 72.1%, Rural: 59.1%
  • Would seek treatment at hospital if bitten by dogs:
    • Total: 95.5%, Urban: 99.5%, Rural: 94.9%
    • Pet owners: 94.7%: Non-pet owners: 96.2%
  • Would inform authorities if bitten by a dog:
    • Total: 55.6%, Urban: 45%, Rural: 57%
  • Knows that the head of a suspected animal must be submitted to MRI for confirmation:
    • Total: 43%, Urban: 60.1%, Rural: 40.6%
  • Would send the head to MRI:
    • Total: 58%, Urban: 68.9%, Rural: 56.6%
Attitude towards FRD
  • In favor of the animal birth control program:
    • Total: 85.5%, Urban: 86.2%, Rural: 85.4%
    • Pet owners: 87.5%; Non-pet owners: 82.8%
  • Annoyed with stray dogs:
    • Total: 51%, Urban: 58.2%, Rural: 50%
    • Pet owners: 45.9%; Non-pet owners: 57.9%
  • Would want authorities to euthanize stray dogs:
    • Total: 85.5%, Urban: 90.7%, Rural: 84.8%
  • Preferred actions – animal control:
    • Total: 63.6%, Urban: 54.5%, Rural: 65%
  • Preferred actions – animal disposal:
    • Total: 22.7%, Urban: 28.1%, Rural: 21.9%
  • Preferred actions – combined population control and disposal:
    • Total: 5.1%, Urban: 10.1%, Rural: 4.4%
Pet Ownership Practices
  • Willing to register pets:
    • Total: 85.3%, Urban: 85.4%, Rural: 85.3%
    • Pet owners: 87.1%; Non-pet owners: 82.0%
  • Pet dogs housed in cages:
    • Total: 38.1%, Urban: 43.5%, Rural: 37.3%
  • Pet dogs free to roam:
    • Total: 33.3%, Urban: 22.2%, Rural: 34.9%
  • Pet dogs tied outside the house:
    • Total: 18.9%, Urban: 18.5%, Rural: 19%
  • Pet dogs living inside the house:
    • Total: 8.5%, Urban: 14.8%, Rural: 7.6%
  • Pet dogs housed in cages but free to roam sometimes:
    • Total: 1.2%, Urban: 0.9%, Rural: 1.2%
  • Pet dogs/cats vaccinated for rabies one year prior to survey:
    • Total: 76.1%, Urban: 88.5%, Rural: 74.3%
  • Able to show the vaccination certificate:
    • Total: 48.1%, Urban: 58.9%, Rural: 46.3%
  • Would euthanize pet if rabid:
    • Total: 71.1%, Urban: 76.8%, Rural: 70.4%
    • Pet owners: 73.2%; Non-pet owners: 67.8%

Research Summary | Back to top

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