How knowledgeable are people in Nepal about rabies?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Rabies is a fatal viral disease transmitted from animals to humans, causing approximately 59,000 deaths annually worldwide.
• Eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 is a global goal, necessitating a thorough understanding of public knowledge and attitudes.
• Nepal faces a significant burden of rabies, underscoring the need for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of public awareness regarding rabies in three districts of Nepal.
• To identify knowledge gaps concerning rabies transmission, causative agents, and prevention methods.
• To explore the relationship between demographic factors and rabies knowledge.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021.
• Structured questionnaires were administered to 308 household heads in Siraha, Parsa, and Parasi districts.
• Statistical analysis, including chi-square tests, was used to examine relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• A significant portion of respondents lacked knowledge about rabies, its causative agent (87.3%), and the pathogen's effect on brain tissue (only 35.1% aware).
• Awareness of pet vaccination schedules (26.3%) and the immediate effectiveness of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was low.
• Pet ownership, education level, household income, family size, occupation, and age were significantly associated with knowledge levels.

Conclusions:

• Substantial knowledge gaps regarding rabies exist among the public in the studied districts of Nepal.
• Public health and veterinary authorities must prioritize education on rabies transmission and prevention, alongside ensuring free access to anti-rabies vaccines.
• Enhancing public awareness is critical for achieving the goal of eliminating human rabies cases.