Human rabies exposure and associated risk factors in North-West Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess community awareness of rabies, and incidence of human rabies exposure and its associated risk factors.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess community awareness of rabies, and incidence of human rabies exposure and associated risk factors.

A total of 642 study participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling from seven districts in Gondar zones in northwest Ethiopia. Data was collected using a questionnaire by face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between rabies exposure and potential risk factors.

The incidence of rabies exposure in the current study was estimated to be 20.95 % per year. Almost all (99.68 %) of respondents were aware of the existence of rabies, and 98.44 % of them know that rabies is a zoonotic disease. Residents of Genda Wuha (OR = 7.68) and Metema districts (OR = 7.12) had a greater risk of rabies exposure compared to those living in Debre Tabor district. Dog ownership (OR = 1.61) was greater risk for rabies exposure than non-dog ownership, larger family size (≥7 members) (OR = 2.23) had greater risk for rabies exposure.

The study outlined that although awareness of existence of rabies and its zoonotic risk was high, taking post-exposure prophylaxis was low. Therefore, use post exposure rabies vaccine of should be promoted.