Epidemiological Profile And Practices Of Animal Bite Victims Attending The OPD Of Rural Health And Training Centre Affiliated To A Tertiary Care Centre In Rewa

BACKGROUND: In India, over 35% of global human Rabies deaths occur, primarily from dog bites which are responsible for over 95% of cases. Objective of this study was to assess the epidemiological profile and practices regarding animal bite, among animal bite victims attending the OPD of Rural Health and Training Centre affiliated to a Tertiary Care Centre in Rewa. METHODS: This was a facility based cross-sectional study. Sample size was 150. New animal bite victims were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire after obtaining informed verbal consent. The questionnaire consisted of demographic profile and questions regarding victims’ awareness about rabies, anti-rabies vaccine and their practices following the animal bite. CONCLUSION: Younger age group (persons of 0-30 years age group) are more commonly affected. Awareness among participants may be raised by utilizing school health programs Major biting animals were dogs. Very few people are aware of the need for observing animals post bite. Wound care practices need to be improved. Pet dog rabies vaccination rate is very low, which needs to be focused upon for achieving rabies control.