Classification of pet owners based on knowledge attitude and practice about rabies and its vaccination in Duc Hue, Long An province during the period 2021 - 2023

Rabies manifests is a zoonotic ailment affecting both humans and carnivorous animals. The administration of rabies vaccination, particularly to domesticated animals such as dogs and cats, is an efficacious prophylactic measure for safeguarding the optimal health of both animal and human populations. The conscientiousness of pet owners regarding rabies vaccination significantly contributes to the effectiveness of rabies prevention initiatives. A comprehensive survey employing the Knowledge-Attitude-Practices framework was undertaken among owners of dogs and cats to appraise the efficacy of the three-year rabies vaccination program spanning 2021 to 2023 in Duc Hue district, Long An province. The primary objectives of this inquiry were to succinctly delineate the program’s outcomes and to gauge the evolution of awareness and behavioral patterns among dog and cat owners. The survey adopted a nuanced approach by categorizing participants into sub-groups, emphasizing the differentiation of outcomes across these delineated groups. Findings indicated that the vaccine coverage exceeded 80% within Duc Hue, Long An province’s dog and cat population in 2023. The analytical assessment consistently identified three to four discernible population clusters annually, based on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice scores, focusing on their alignment with the overall mean within the population. Additionally, specific attention was directed towards clusters exhibiting lower scores, with a location and occupation. Identifying these clusters necessitates further exploration and warrants the development of more tailored communication and approach strategies to optimize the efficacy of the ongoing vaccination campaign.