Current Research in Agriculture and Farming (CRAF)
Year : 2020, Volume : 1, Issue : 2
First page : (21) Last page : (31)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-7146.104
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Rabies among Communities of Atsbi Wonberta District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Haben Fesseha1* and Atsebeha Hadgu2 1College of Veterinary Science, Mekelle University, P.O. Box: 2084, Mekelle, Ethiopia 2Atsbi Wonberta District Private Practitioner, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author E-mail: tseyon.h@gmail.com
Received: 6.12.2019 | Revised: 17.01.2020 | Accepted: 28.01.2020
ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted on randomly selected 399 individuals to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of rabies among communities in Atsbi Wonberta district Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Accordingly, the majority (98%) of the study participants had heard about rabies from different sources. There were significant differences in knowledge between dog owners and non-dog owners concerning had heard of rabies (P=0.000). Among the interviewed participants, 85% mentioned that bite by a rabid dog and/other animals is the primary mode of transmission of the disease. But few had lower knowledge about key practices, such as the need for wound cleansing, which could prevent unnecessary deaths from the disease instead most respondents preferred taking the victim to a hospital as soon as possible; and some preferred to visit traditional healers. There were significant differences in attitudes between dog owners and non-dog owners to all dogs are dangerous (p=0.001), and rabies is a fatal disease (p=0.015). Generally, the overall KAP assessment recorded in this study is an indication that some works are still left to create awareness among the communities. Thus, close collaboration and integration of veterinary professionals, public health experts, and local authorities should stand together to fight the disease as they are the key elements for preventing and control of this very serious and fatal disease.
Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782
Cite this article: Fesseha, H., & Kidanemariam, F. (2020). Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Rabies among Communities of Atsbi Wonberta District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, Curr. Rese. Agri. Far. 1(1), 21-31. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-7146.104
