Scholarly Article
KNOWLEDGE OF RABIES AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING THE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A RURAL PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE IN TIRUNELVELI: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
M, Thilagar, N, Rama Swathika, A, Shameema Rubaiya
2026-06-08 · International Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research · Sumathi Publications
Abstract
Background: Rabies is an almost universally fatal zoonotic encephalitis that continues to pose a significant public health challenge in rural India. Despite the availability of effective post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), preventable deaths persist owing to inadequate community awareness of transmission routes and appropriate bite management. Objective: To assess knowledge of rabies and PEP among patients attending the outpatient department of a rural primary health centre in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024 among 506 participants recruited by simple random sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic details and 18 close-ended knowledge items. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test (p < 0.05) were used for analysis. Results: Most participants were aged 36-50 years (38.3%); 54.5% were female. Only 40.3% had heard of rabies, and 31.2% correctly identified all routes of transmission. Awareness of preventability was present in 54.2%, yet only 41.9% recognised the fatal nature of the disease and 42.1% believed it to be treatable. Awareness of rabies immunoglobulin was critically low (8.7%). Although 74.7% reported practising first aid after an animal bite, 44.3% did not know the correct post-bite action. Conclusion: Knowledge of rabies and PEP was deficient across multiple domains. Targeted community health education programmes addressing transmission, vaccine dosing, and passive immunisation are warranted.
Keywords
Rabies, Animal bite, Post exposure prophylaxis, Knowledge, Rural population
Citation Details
International Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 139-145