A household survey to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding Rabies among dog owners in Omusati region
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Date
2020
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease of warm-blooded animals caused by Lyssavirus of the Rhabdoviridae family that attacks the Central Nervous System, provoking fatal acute encephalitis. Domesticated dogs are the main vector, responsible for almost 99% of human rabies cases. Namibia with the rest of the world is engaged in fight to eradicate dog mediated rabies. There is a need to explore the knowledge gaps, attitudes and practices regarding rabies control among dog owners. The purpose of this study was to perform a household survey, assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding rabies control among dog owners in the Omusati region, Namibia.
The researcher applied a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, household survey on residents of five constituencies in Omusati region. The researcher employed a structured questionnaire translated in the local language (Oshiwambo). Participants were selected through a simple random sampling method, and one questionnaire was completed per selected household. The data was analysed through Epi-Info 7 and Microsoft Excel and arranged in descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and proportion to determine the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice levels. The Chi-square test on categorical variable was used at p-value 0.005 statistical significance. A total of 342 respondents took part in the study; more than half (53%) were male and 50% had secondary education level and only 18% were employed. At least 98% of the respondents knew that rabies is a zoonotic disease and could identify the disease through local names; 55% had no knowledge that rabies is caused by a virus even though 67% were certain the diseases could be transmitted to human through rabid animal bites. Ninety percentages (90%) of the respondents knew that vaccination is the only form of prevention against rabies, and 96% would seek medical help at the hospital after an animal bite. Ninety-five percentages (95%) of the respondents kept guard dogs yet only 29% would report or take a suspected rabid dog to the nearest animal clinic. Sixty-eight percentage (68%) of the respondents consumed dog meat and 71% have had their dogs vaccinated during the last vaccination campaign. Employed respondents were more likely to keep dogs in an enclosure away from stray dogs, significant at chi-square 5.0514, p-value 0.0241. Employment status does not influence dog’s vaccination status at household level, non-significant at chi-square 0.7086, p-value 0.3999. Household knowledge and attitude levels with regards to rabies control in the five constituencies of Omusati region are well above average; however there are gaps in practices in the community. Despite the right knowledge, communities engage in practices that predispose them to rabies infection and others that are hampering and jeopardising efforts towards rabies control.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training
Keywords
Rabies