Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding rabies among residents of Mekdella district, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Rabies, a highly fatal neglected tropical disease that affects warm-blooded animals, was the subject of a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2021 to April 2021. The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding rabies and associated risk factors among the communities of Mekdella district. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 384 households randomly selected from six kebeles. Factors associated with KAP were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The findings revealed that about 60% and 57% of respondents have good knowledge and implement preventive practices, respectively. However, the majority of respondents were unaware of the causative agent of rabies (55.7%) and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (65.9%). Although 88.3% of the respondents knew about vaccination as a means of rabies prevention, only 20.1% of the respondents had their dogs vaccinated. About 53.9% of respondents would wash the wound with water and soap if bitten by rabid animals. Educated respondents were eight times (AOR = 7.7; 95% CI: 2.5-23.7) and three times (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.2-8.0) more likely to have good knowledge and practice preventive measures against rabies, respectively, compared to illiterate participants. Respondents who were trained about rabies were nine times (AOR = 9.7; 95% CI: 1.4-66.4) and five times (AOR = 4.5; 95% CI: 1.2-16.3) more likely to have good knowledge and implement preventive practices, respectively, than the nontrained ones. Being previously exposed to rabies made respondents four times (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.8-8.3) and two times (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2 - 4.3) more likely to have good knowledge and implement preventive practices regarding rabies. This study revealed the vast gaps in the communities’ knowledge on rabies and poor practices in the prevention and control of rabies and post-exposure prophylaxis. It underscores the importance of community involvement in improving rabies prevention and control, fostering a sense of responsibility and empowerment.