Assessment of Community Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Rabies in Wondo Genet District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Objectives: This study aimed to assess community awareness, knowledge, and practices regarding rabies in the Wondo Genet district. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among local residents with multistage sampling procedure. Results: An overwhelming 98.6% of respondents are aware of rabies, with dogs identified as the most affected species (48.2%), followed by cats (23.6%) and humans (13.7%). While 47.1% identified the rabies virus as the causative agent, 82.5% understood transmission pathways, predominantly recognizing bites as the primary method (49.6%). While a substantial 91.8% of respondents acknowledged the fatal nature of rabies in animals, gaps in knowledge were evident, particularly regarding post-exposure prophylaxis; only 27.9% were aware of its existence, and a mere 23.3% believed vaccination should occur immediately after exposure. The community perceives children as the most at risk (49.9%) from rabies, highlighting the need for targeted educational efforts. Additionally, the survey indicated a strong community sentiment regarding the seriousness of rabies with 68.5% and 73.4% supporting the importance of community awareness programs. However, misconceptions persist, as 67.4% of respondents believe only dogs can transmit rabies to humans. On vaccination, 89.5% concurred on its effectiveness for dogs, and 80.8% of pet owners reported vaccinating their animals against rabies, though only 17.8% maintained vaccination records. Respondents reported that in the event of bites from potentially rabid animals, half (49.0%) would seek post-exposure vaccination, while others would consider traditional treatments (34.2%) or consult spiritual healers (15.3%). Community actions towards suspected rabid animals varied, with 44.4% opting to kill them and 27.7% notifying authorities. The findings underscore a proactive community attitude toward vaccination and appropriate post-bite treatment yet highlight for improvement in awareness regarding transmission. Conclusion: While there is a high level of awareness and concern about rabies in the Wondo Genet District, the study reveals critical knowledge gaps regarding post-exposure interventions and misconceptions about rabies transmission. These findings indicate an urgent need for enhanced community education initiatives to mitigate the risks associated with this preventable disease.