Veterinary Medicine and Public Health Journal

Volume 6 - Issue 2 (3) | PP: 58 - 68 Language : English
DOI : https://doi.org/10.31559/VMPH2025.6.2.3
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Assessment of Community Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Rabies in Wondo Genet District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Ephrem Tsedeke ,
Tariku Geinoro
Received Date Revised Date Accepted Date Publication Date
4/5/2025 24/5/2025 11/6/2025 17/6/2025
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess community awareness, knowledge, and practices regarding rabies in the Wondo Genet district. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among local residents with multistage sampling procedure. Results: An overwhelming 98.6% of respondents are aware of rabies, with dogs identified as the most affected species (48.2%), followed by cats (23.6%) and humans (13.7%). While 47.1% identified the rabies virus as the causative agent, 82.5% understood transmission pathways, predominantly recognizing bites as the primary method (49.6%). While a substantial 91.8% of respondents acknowledged the fatal nature of rabies in animals, gaps in knowledge were evident, particularly regarding post-exposure prophylaxis; only 27.9% were aware of its existence, and a mere 23.3% believed vaccination should occur immediately after exposure. The community perceives children as the most at risk (49.9%) from rabies, highlighting the need for targeted educational efforts. Additionally, the survey indicated a strong community sentiment regarding the seriousness of rabies with 68.5% and 73.4% supporting the importance of community awareness programs. However, misconceptions persist, as 67.4% of respondents believe only dogs can transmit rabies to humans. On vaccination, 89.5% concurred on its effectiveness for dogs, and 80.8% of pet owners reported vaccinating their animals against rabies, though only 17.8% maintained vaccination records. Respondents reported that in the event of bites from potentially rabid animals, half (49.0%) would seek post-exposure vaccination, while others would consider traditional treatments (34.2%) or consult spiritual healers (15.3%). Community actions towards suspected rabid animals varied, with 44.4% opting to kill them and 27.7% notifying authorities. The findings underscore a proactive community attitude toward vaccination and appropriate post-bite treatment yet highlight for improvement in awareness regarding transmission. Conclusion: While there is a high level of awareness and concern about rabies in the Wondo Genet District, the study reveals critical knowledge gaps regarding post-exposure interventions and misconceptions about rabies transmission. These findings indicate an urgent need for enhanced community education initiatives to mitigate the risks associated with this preventable disease.


How To Cite This Article
Tsedeke , E. & Geinoro , T. (2025). Assessment of Community Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Rabies in Wondo Genet District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. Veterinary Medicine and Public Health Journal, 6 (2), 58-68, 10.31559/VMPH2025.6.2.3

Copyright © 2025, This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.