Background: Rabies constitutes a significant public health challenge in India, responsible for nearly one-third of global rabies-related fatalities each year. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that annually between 18,000 and 20,000 individuals in India succumb to rabies, with a significant proportion of these cases originating from dog bites in rural areas. Despite rabies being entirely preventable, it continues to contribute to considerable mortality rates due to limited public awareness, insufficient access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and deficiencies in vaccination coverage.
Objectives: This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning rabies among individuals residing in Tamil Nadu.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai, involving 973 participants aged 15 to 80. Utilizing a survey questionnaire adapted from established scholarly literature, the research assessed participants’ awareness of rabies, its epidemiology, and their understanding of first aid measures and vaccination protocols following animal bites.
Results: A total of 633 participants (65.1%) had satisfactory knowledge of rabies, while 340 (34.9%) had unsatisfactory knowledge. Awareness of rabies, as a zoonotic disease, was high (92.4%), with 87.4% recognizing the rabies virus as the causative agent and 88.9% understanding transmission through bites and saliva. Regarding attitudes, 76.6% acknowledged the importance of completing post-exposure vaccination, and 64% opposed euthanizing biting animals. Of the participants, 38.3% owned pets, with 76.7% having vaccinated them. Among families reporting animal bites (29.5%), 67.6% sought medical care on the same day, 50.2% washed the wound, and 84.7% received post-exposure vaccination. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with gender (P<0.001), socioeconomic status (P=0.04), and residence (P=0.05).
Conclusion: Despite a moderately high level of awareness, significant gaps exist in KAP related to rabies, particularly concerning first-aid measures and vaccination among vulnerable populations. To address these issues, practical recommendations include implementing targeted community education campaigns, enhancing the accessibility and affordability of both human and animal rabies vaccines, promoting responsible pet ownership and vaccination, and strengthening timely post-exposure treatment services. These interventions are essential for reducing the incidence of rabies and improving public health outcomes within the region.