Knowledge, attitude and behaviour about animal bite and its management to prevent rabies : A cross–sectional descriptive study in a rural community of West Bengal

Dr. Jadab Chandra Sardar; Dr. Baisakhi Maji; Dr. Narendra Kr. Tiwary; Dr. Mayuri Sardar

Volume : IX, Issue : II, February - 2020

Knowledge, attitude and behaviour about animal bite and its management to prevent rabies : A cross–sectional descriptive study in a rural community of West Bengal

Dr. Jadab Chandra Sardar, Dr. Baisakhi Maji, Dr. Narendra Kr. Tiwary, Dr. Mayuri Sardar

Abstract :

Background : Rabies is transmitted mostly (98.6%)1 by the bite of rabid dog and it is almost 100% fatal. Objectives : To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice about animal bite & their care seeking behaviour after bite. Methodology : This cross–sectional study was done at Amdanga (rural) block among 288 respondents covering 288 families. Equal number of families were selected from six villages by simple random sampling (SRS) technique and those six villages were chosen by multistage sampling. Results: Almost 50% respondents had no idea of washing wound after bite .23.6% would seek care from traditional healer. Although majority (97.6%) would take injection within 24 hrs of bite but 48.6% had no knowledge of number of doses of anti–rabies vaccine (ARV). 48.3% were not in favour of taking any post exposure prophylaxis among pregnant and lactating women.