Assessment of Rabies Knowledge Gaps and Management of Dog Bite Wound among Dog Handlers in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria

Rabies is a zoonotic disease with virtually 100% case fatality rate but preventable with early administration of post exposure prophylaxes rabies vaccine to the bite victim. The objectives of this study were to assess the awareness on rabies, modes of transmission, preventive measures, and their rate of exposure to dog bites among dog handlers. The work was carried out in five Local government areas of Gombe State. Ninety-one structured questionnaire was administered by face-to-face interviews in the commonly spoken local dialect (Hausa) to dog handlers. The questionnaire covered information on demographic characteristics, awareness toward rabies and their rate of exposure to dog bites. Only 28 (30.8%) of the respondents were informed that rabies could be fatal; 56 (61.5%) respondents were aware that dog handlers faced risks of rabies infection. Of the participants, eighty-seven (95.6%) recognized that dog bites are responsible for the transmission of rabies; nonetheless, 42 (46.2%) had experienced cuts, and 38 (41.8%) had been splashed with nerves/blood during the processing of raw dog meat. Only 13 respondents (14.3%) were aware of the appropriate management for dog bite wounds in the most severe circumstances. Sixty responders (67.8%) were bitten by dogs, although none received post-exposure vaccination. Approximately 89.3% of the respondents favored the non-conventional way for treating dog bite wounds. Therefore, knowledge on the possible risk of exposure, dog bite wound treatment, post exposure rabies vaccination and preventive measures of rabies need to be improved. An adequate awareness of rabies is very crucial in controlling