Barriers to Canine Rabies Vaccination in Nigeria: Implications for Rabies Elimination by 2030

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Epidemiology
• One Health Approach

Background:

• Mass dog rabies vaccination is the most effective strategy for preventing human rabies.
• Achieving high vaccination coverage in dogs is challenging in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to multiple barriers.
• Nigeria faces a significant public health burden from rabies, with domestic dogs as the primary reservoir, limited by a lack of coordinated programs and challenges in affordability, service availability, infrastructure, and owner awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify contextual factors associated with perceived barriers to canine rabies vaccination among dog owners in Nigeria.
• To develop a probabilistic model to understand these barriers.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in three Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
• Data were collected from dog-owning households.
• A probabilistic model was developed to analyze factors influencing perceived barriers to canine rabies vaccination.

Main Results:

• Lack of knowledge about vaccination was associated with higher education, rabies awareness, using dogs for security, urban residence, and higher poverty.
• Perceived high cost of the vaccine was linked to being a student, higher education, urban residence, specific states (FCT, Anambra), medium-sized households, traditional bite care, and partially confined dogs.
• Rabies awareness and tertiary education were associated with lower perception of the vaccine's unimportance, while access to veterinary services, good roads, and partial confinement reduced perceived barriers.

Conclusions:

• Key barriers to canine rabies vaccination in Nigeria include lack of knowledge, perceived high cost, and low perceived importance.
• These barriers are influenced by socioeconomic factors, location, and dog ownership practices.
• Targeted, context-specific strategies are needed to improve vaccine affordability, accessibility, and infrastructure, especially for disadvantaged households.