Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Dog Bite and Its Management: A Cross-Sectional Study From the Rural Field Practice Area of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna.

introductionRabies continues to be a significant concern in India, with lots of deaths reported annually. Approximately one million people undergo post-exposure prophylaxis treatment annually, despite nearly two million dog bites occurring across the country. Notably, dogs are responsible for more than 99% of these bites. Public understanding of rabies treatment remains limited, with many incorrectly believing that it involves 14 injections following a dog bite. However, there is limited awareness about the potential severity of the disease if dog bites are not properly managed. Rabies, an ancient ailment, remains the most dreaded among all contagious diseases.

aimThis study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the people residing in rural Patna and also to identify the sociodemographic factors that might influence KAP regarding dog bites and their management. METHODOLOGY: A field-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural field practice area of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna. The study population comprised the patients attending the outpatient department (OPD) at the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Maner, during the study period. The study duration was about six months, that is, from November 2023 to April 2024.

resultThe majority (56.4%) of the study population were of the age group 18-40 years. The major bulk of the study population was male, and most of them were illiterate, that is, 67.6%; only 5.2% of the study population were graduate and above. A higher percentage (30.9%) of the study population were farmers or laborers by occupation. About 53.9% of the study population belonged to the upper middle class. A significant difference was seen among age groups in knowledge concerning the cause of rabies (p=0.023), the spread of rabies by dogs (p=0.001), symptoms of rabies such as altered personality (p=0.001), the possibility of rabies cure (p=0.001), and the importance of seeking medical help promptly after a dog bite (p=0.004). Generally, younger patients showed higher awareness and knowledge regarding these aspects compared to older age groups.

conclusionThe present study showed a significant knowledge gap with respect to cases of dog bite management in rural Patna. Even though awareness of rabies is present, there is an alarming lacuna in this awareness being converted to wound-washing practices and timely seeking of medical care. To decrease the risk associated with dog bites and rabies transmission, structured educational campaigns and community-level interventions are important. These measures can significantly improve rabies prevention in general and rural areas in particular.