A study on factors associated with delay in post-exposure prophylaxis among animal bite victims attending anti rabies clinic of a tertiary care hospital of southern Odisha

Background: Rabies is a fatal viral disease of CNS. In India 17.4 million people are exposed to animal bites annually. Having a varied incubation period, post exposure prophylaxis should be started immediately after any animal bite exposure to prevent rabies. This study was conducted to find out the reasons behind delay in seeking treatment immediately which may pose potential risk to the exposed. Objectives were to describe the characteristics of animal bite exposures. To determine the factors associated with delay in post exposure prophylaxis. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024 in ARC. All animal bite victims who came for PEP after 24 hours of exposure were included in the study. Data was collected using predesigned pretested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS v 17. Results: Majority of the study population were males (63.4%) and between age group of 18-59 years (61%). 97.6% had category-III bites (mostly abrasions in lower limb). About 66% of the study population reported to the ARC after 72 hours of the exposure, the major reason being negligence (29%). Conclusions: Thus, we need to address the issue and create awareness about rabies and its fatality to prevent future Rabies related deaths.