Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Dog Owners Following Dog bites in Umuahia North and South, Abia State, Nigeria.

Rabies, a fatal neurological disease of warm-blooded animals, is endemic and occurs throughout the year in all parts of Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess dog owners' knowledge, attitudes, and practices following dog bites. Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposively selected being active urban areas. A validated well-structured questionnaire was administered to 200 dog owners by face-to-face interviews who were consenting respondents conveniently selected from the study site. Data generated were analysed with statistical significance at p = 0.05. Out of the 200 dog owners, 172 (86%) were not aware of rabies, 48 (24%) were of the notion that rabies does not kill only animals and 52 (26%) did not know that the virus that causes rabies is found in the nerves. One hundred and fifty (75%) respondents knew that rabies could be spread through the saliva of a rabid animal, 9 (4.5%) did not know that dogs are possible common sources of rabies in Nigeria and only 125 (62.5%) knew the age at which dogs should receive the first dose of rabies vaccine. Also, a good number of them 162 (80%) knew that keeping dogs that are not vaccinated against rabies is dangerous and should be avoided. One hundred and forty five (72.5%) respondents agreed that dog handlers should always wear protective clothing, and 117 (58.5%) accepted that it is good to wash dog bi te wounds with soap and water. Age, Marital status, Occupation and Qualification were the socio-demographic variables associated with the knowledge, attitude and practice level of the respondents that were statistically significant (P=0.05). Inadequate knowledge of some aspects of rabies, negative attitudes, and practices of dog owners following dog bites are indicative of a high risk of exposure of dog owners to rabies. It is suggested that public health education targeting dog owners be implemented to increase their level of awareness of rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]